Benjamin Franklin Hibschman, Jr, 94, passed away on Monday, December 24, 2012 at Cleveland Pines Nursing Center in Shelby.  A native of Edgar County, Illinois, he was the son of the late Benjamin and Anna Gordon Hibschman.  He was also preceded in death by his wife of 63 years Helen Duensing Hibschman; 5 sisters; and 2 brothers. Benjamin was a member of Shelby Presbyterian Church and very active at the Neal Senior Center where he enjoyed many activities and participated in the Senior Games.  He also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.  He was retired 38 years from the steel industry in Gary, Indiana.

Mr. Hibschman is survived by his wife Patsy Cogdell Hibschman; brother, Dale Calvin Hibschman and wife Helen of Peoria, Il; sister, Sally Joan Bianco of Arcadia, FL; sons, Larry Hibschman and wife Carol of Cherryville and David Hibschman and wife Kay of Terrell, TX; grandchildren, Rebecca Lanni, Deborah Mennicucci, Joshua Hibschman, Seth Hibschman, Ashley Parks; 7 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 4 step-sons; 4 step-grandchildren; 2 step-great grandchild.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at the Chapel of Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory.  Dr. Luke Harkey will be officiating.  The family will receive friends from 12:00 – 2:00pm prior to the service at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Kansas, Illinois at 2:00pm on Saturday, December 29, 2012.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials go to the Neal Senior Center, 100 T R Harris Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or Shelby Presbyterian Church, 226 East Graham Street, Shelby, NC 28150.

Cecil M Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Hibschman.