Russell M. Gochenaur
Russell M. Gochenaur, 88, of Waverly, NY, formerly of Barton, NY, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend woke up in the arms of Jesus on Friday, Sept. 25, 2009.
He was born April 24, 1921 the son of the late Roy B. Gochenaur and Anna Mary Rye Gochenaur of Lancaster, PA. He was predeceased by 8 brothers and 1 great granddaughter.
He is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 40 years, Joyce (Marsh) Gochenaur; his daughters, Mary (Larry) Robbins, Benton, PA, Beatie (Charles) Rakich, Benton, PA, Kay Runyon, Robin (Brock) McDuffee, Waverly, NY; his sons, Paul (Sylvia) Gochenaur, Benton, PA, Russell Gochenaur, Barton, NY, Alan (Linda Thomas) Marsh, Sheila Marsh, Don (Laurie) Marsh, Waverly, NY David (Sue) Marsh, Florida; sister in law Doris Gochenaur, Berwick, PA; 18 grandchildren, Debbie, Shirley, Charles, Lorie, Michael, Michelle, Ken, Melissa, Duston, Paul Jr., Chad, Amber, Alicia, Nicole, Ashley, Leah, Holly and Cara; several great grandchildren and a very special friend, Honey; Also extended family from Lancaster – nephews Ronnie and Donnie Gochenaur, Earl Farmwald and Jeff Fulmer.
Russell was a graduate of Milton Hershey high School, Hershey, PA with a degree in plumbing, but later on he became an accomplished self-taught electrician, where he worked 40 years of dedicated service at Robert Packer Hospital. He was a close personal friend of Dr. Guthrie and of Milton Hershey.
Russell was a member of the Athens Masonic Lodge for 57 years and a member of the First Baptist Church of Waverly. He loved his family, gardening, building projects, puzzles, animals, outdoors and the Dallas Cowboys.
Funeral Services will be held at Richards Funeral Home, 3670 Waverly Rd, Owego, NY 13827 on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 at 2:00pm with Rev. J. Steven Reynolds, officiating. Burial will follow in Smithboro Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at Richards Funeral Home on Tuesday afternoon from 12:00pm until the time of service at 2:00.
In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Russell’s name to the American Heart Association, 1-800-242-8721 or .