RICHARD DAVID HACKEL

July 24, 1956 – April 3, 2024

GOSHEN- Richard David Hackel, 67, of Goshen, Indiana, passed away Wednesday April 3, 2024, at his residence in Goshen.  He was born July 24, 1956, in Harvey, IL to Richard & Doris (Hansen) Hackel.

      On July 19, 2016, he married Karen L. (Noffsinger) McKenna.  She survives along with 2 sons, Ryan (Evelyn) Hackel of Falls Church, VA, Neil (Lindsay) Hackel of Hutto, TX; 2 stepdaughters, Charity (Manuel) Flores, Stephanie McKenna both of Elkhart, IN; 8 grandchildren and 2 siblings, David (Monica) Hackel of Leesburg, FL and Debbie (Jerry) Sawyer of Reeds Spring, MO.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

     Richard graduated from Purdue University in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in forestry.   He was a member of the Middlebury Optimist Club, and member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart.  Richard enjoyed camping, shopping, cooking, acting, and bicycling.  He was Fire Chief for the Millersburg Clinton Fire Territory for 25 years.

     Richard was employed at the Elkhart County Parks and Recreation, retired in 2021 from the State of Indiana IDEM as an on-scene coordinator and worked for USIC as a utility locator from 2021 – 2023.

     Cremation will take place and a celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date.  Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home is entrusted with his care.

     Memorial contributions may be given to the Millersburg Clinton Fire Territory, 500 Carriage Lane, Millersburg, IN 46543.

UPDATE:  Celebration of Life Service for Richard will take place at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart (UUFE) 1732 Garden Street, Elkhart, Indiana 46514 on Sunday May 26, 2024, 3:00 p.m.  Visitation and refreshments following the service.