Daniel Hackler

In the evening of Friday December 19, 2025, the world lost a good man. Daniel Layton Hackler passed away in his home, surrounded by family and love. 

Dan/Dad/Papa was born in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania on February 17, 1949. Beaver Falls is a small industrial town about 30 miles from Pittsburgh, but the fact that it was also the hometown of Joe Namath was a source of pride and stories for Dan. After attending Pennsbury High School, he joined the Air Force where he was a Jet Fighter Mechanic for four years serving in the Philippines, Okinawa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States. He was stationed at Sheppard AFB and Lackland AFB when he was in Texas. Dan was a natural storyteller and would often weave in lessons for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in stories from his childhood and military service, always with humor, joy, and empathy.

 After he left the Air Force, he went back to college, always working full-time while he was in school. Dan graduated from The College of New Jersey with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Psychology. He then completed his Master's degree in Management Theory and Organizational Development from Thomas College in Maine. This was a perfect background to start a career in human resources. Dan was a fundamentally kind man who exuded warmth, acceptance, common sense, and love, combined with an expressive strength of character, and served as a pillar for right and wrong. One cannot write a better job description for someone in human resources and, luckily for his friends and family, for a human being. 

Dan deeply loved his wife of 29 years, Bonnie Hackler. They loved to travel, spending months in France during their retirement years. Most of all, though, they loved being together. In recent years, they could be found on their back porch in Noblesville, Indiana, holding hands, tending to their flowers, growing tomatoes, and watching deer and critters.

 Being a father was core to Dan’s life. He greatly loved his son Brian Hackler who was a source of pride and joy. He leaves behind two broken-hearted daughters, Shelby Bright and Amy Myers (Dave), for whom he was a constant voice of support, cheerleading, and love.

 Dan’s spirit lives on in his family: grandchildren Mia Hackler, Henrik Hackler, Emmett Myers, David Myers, Dalton Bright, and Rachel Bright, and great-grandchildren Myla Cardenas, Salma Cardenas, and Adrian Cardenas; his sister Diane Babcock, and many loved nephews, nieces, and cousins.

 Dan is preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice Duggan Hackler, and his father, Layton James Hackler, and his beloved daughter, Coreen Marie. It is said that facing death is different for parents who have lost a child. In our shared grief, we dream of their reunion. 

A service will be held Tuesday, December 30, at 2p at St. Monica’s Catholic Church, 6131 Michigan Road, Indianapolis 46228. Visitation will start at 1pm at St. Monica's Catholic Church.

After mass a visitation following at home - 5080 Green Valley Lane, Noblesville 46062.