Andrew “Andy” Budd Hibler – dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend – passed away in his sleep early on the morning of May 17, 2026, a week shy of his 91st birthday.
He was born on May 24, 1935 in Morristown NJ to L. Milton and Marjorie (Budd) Hibler and lived his entire life in Hackettstown NJ. Andrew graduated from Hackettstown High School in 1953 and Pennsylvania State University in 1957 where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. Following college Andrew married his wife of nearly 69 years, Ann Elizabeth Blessing. He served in the Army National Guard and then returned home and joined the family business, Williams & Hibler Lumber Company. Andrew was the third generation owner and President of the business which was a fixture in the Hackettstown community for many years. Throughout his adult life he was very involved in the Hackettstown community – as a volunteer fireman with the Cataract Fire Company, a 60+ year member of the Masonic Lodge, a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and a member on the local School Board.
Andrew was active in sports as a boy and was a 4 sport varsity athlete in high school. He went on to play football at Penn State University and was an avid fan of the Nittany Lions for many years. In 2019 he was inducted into the Hackettstown High School Hall of Fame as a member of the undefeated 1951 varsity football team. He also got great joy following the athletic exploits of his grandchildren, attending as many of their events as possible with his wife Ann. During retirement Andy took up fishing and spent many a day deep-sea fishing with friends off the coast of New Jersey, and enjoyed annual fishing trips to the Florida Keys.
Joys of Andy’s life included the 30 summers he and Ann spent in their summer home in the Poconos, their annual winter trips to different islands in the Caribbean and other travels they enjoyed together. He also loved spending time with and caring for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Ann were blessed with 2 daughters – Holly and Amanda – 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren (so far). Andy truly loved the times he got to spend with the littlest ones in his life and was always interested in their latest exploits.
Andrew is survived by his wife Ann (Blessing) Hibler, his daughters Holly Ann Hall (husband Matt) and Amanda Blessing Cummings ( husband Paul), grandchildren Ryan Hall (wife Rachel), Adam Hall (wife Chelsea), Emily Alexander (husband Mark), Grant Cummings (fiancé Katelyn) and Todd Cummings. His great-grandchildren are Lucy and Elijah Hall (born to Ryan & Rachel), Foster Hall (born to Adam & Chelsea), and Augie and Oakley Alexander (born to Mark & Emily), his brother William Hibler and wife Marilyn and sister Joan Roehrich and husband Ken.
Visitation with the family will be on Thursday May 21, 2026 from 5 – 8 pm, with a funeral service the following morning, Friday May 22, 2026 at 11 am, all at Cochran Funeral Home in Hackettstown, NJ. A graveside service in Hackettstown Union Cemetery in Hackettstown will follow the funeral.
For those interested in making a donation in Andrew’s honor, he was a supporter of Trinity United Methodist Church, 213 Main Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840, catchthespirit.org, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org/donate and the Wounded Warrior Project, Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 woundedwarriorproject.org.
For those wishing to leave online condolences for the family please visit, www.cochranfuneral.com
2 Condolences for Hibler, Andrew “Andy”
Condolences(2)
Paul & Robin Wallace says
May 20, 2026 at 2:12 pmDear Mrs. Hibler and Hibler Family
We are so sorry about Andy’s passing, He and Mr. Milton Hibler were more than just Employers for me, they were true mentors! I learned to be tough yet fair from Milt, and extreme honesty, kindness & compassion from Andy. I know none of our words can ease the pain of earthly real though temporary separation.
Please know we have and will continue to have you all before our FATHER in Heaven to provide the comfort HE Alone can, through Christ our LORD.
GOD Bless
Paul & Robin Wallace
TIMOTHY K WALLACE says
May 20, 2026 at 2:28 pmWe were fortunate to have known Andy for many years, Tim worked for the lumber yard for one year and then off and on Saturdays for quite a few. He and his father gave so many people a start, funded so many projects with their in-house credit for contractors. To our children, he was Uncle Andy, just as his dad had been Uncle Milt to us. One of our favourite memories was a night at his house, setting up a computer for him with two of the young children in tow – it took longer than anticipated, so while working on it, his wife Ann watched the movie “Paulie” with the children. It was a great night and we immediately got the movie for the others to watch.
His legacy is all the men who got their start working with and for him, the decisions made by the great school boards he worked on, and the daughters he and Ann raised. To Ann, Holly and Mandy, we will always remember your dad.
Tim and Theresa Wallace
Asheville NC