Gary William Hiler, 76, passed away on July 16, 2026 in Friedens, PA. He was born in New Castle, PA, on September 22, 1949, a son of the late Ralph Hiler and Joan (Furlong) Johnson. Gary graduated from New Castle High School, where he was a member of the football and track and field teams. He was a United States Navy Veteran as a first class petty officer and specialized as an aviation mechanic. He continued to serve in the Navy Reserve in the Seebee division. Gary owned and operated his own business, Hiler’s Sunoco, for several years in New Castle, PA, where he enjoyed repairing cars and driving tow trucks and flatbeds. Gary later worked and retired as an undercover criminal investigator for the PA Department of Corrections; he was also a member of the SWAT team.

He is survived by one sister, Diann Fulmer, his first wife, Rosemary Flynn Hiler for over 20 years, and their six children, Christine Hiler, Erin Dettore, Sheila Hiler, Gary, Matthew, and Stephen Hiler, seven grandchildren, one great-grandson, and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by one grandson.

His life was remembered at a graveside service with Military Rites performed by the Somerset County Honor Guard prior to his burial at Walker Cemetery in Shanksville on July 20, 2026.