Ralph Gochenauer

Ralph W. Gochenauer, 71, of Chambersburg, PA, passed away Sunday morning, November 22, 2015 at his home following a brief illness. Born December 25, 1943 in Chambersburg, he was a son of the late Ralph Duke and Anna Elizabeth Sollenberger Gochenauer. Ralph was a 1961 graduate of the Chambersburg Area Senior High School and served for eight years with the US Army Reserve. He was employed early in his life at Letterkenny Army Depot and then later as an independent truck driver. He retired on September 25, 2015 from Charles W. Karper, Inc. where he had worked as a driver for many years. He was a member of Hume-McNeil-Byers AMVETS Post 224, Burt J. Asper Post 46 American Legion, and Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #842, all in Chambersburg. An avid tractor pull fan, he enjoyed watching his nephews, Smith’s Pulling Team. His great-grandson, Rylan, was the apple of his eye. Ralph was raised on his family’s dairy farm and helped there part-time while growing up.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah L. Robinson Gochenauer; his son, Rodney E. Gochenauer and companion Suzy Kauffman of Chambersburg; his daughter, Sherry L. Bigler and husband Albert of Mercersburg; and his grandchildren, Heidi C. Wenger and companion Robert Stratton of Fayetteville, Corey C. Gochenauer of Chambersburg, and Courtney N. Gochenauer of Chambersburg; and his great-grandson, Rylan J. Stratton. Ralph is also survived by two sisters, Ida Mae Strite of Mississippi and Miriam E. Smith of Shippensburg; and four brothers, Ray H. Gochenauer of Tennessee, Glen R. Gochenauer of Greencastle, Carl R. Gochenauer and Roy B. Gochenauer, both of Chambersburg.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, November 25, 2015 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Paul B. Baker will officiate. Interment will follow at Parklawns Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 7:00-9:00 PM Tuesday and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 384 Floral Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201.