Earl G. Hochendoner's Obituary
On February 16th while most of us slept, the world experienced a void that will never be filled. For that is when one the kindest most loving men to walk the earth was called home to rest.
Earl Gabriel Hochendoner died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 94. A loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to all. He was a man that all men should aspire to be! He cared and loved with endless compassion and sincerity for everyone and everything that he encountered. He never considered or ever gave a thought to what was in it for him. He brought nothing but joy, love and laughter to every room and every moment. To know Earl was to love Earl. He shaped and influenced countless people’s lives without even knowing. His heart and soul were so large and genuine that you could not help being affected positively by his presence. He was bestowed the name of Gabriel not by his parents but by God. Because our lord knew the world needed an Archangel to walk this earth to deliver his message and love. Earl fulfilled the Lords wishes for 94 years and left this earth a better place. I would hope all of us that knew this beautiful man would honor him by learning from what he showed us, to treat everyone as he did. Love, Laugh and be Selfless. That is Earl G Hochendoner’s legacy. Let his spirit live on in our actions daily. Earl never failed us, let us not fail him!
Earl’s life was one of struggle and hard work. He grew up during the great depression. He found himself sometimes being forced to call bacon grease smeared on bread a meal. Shoveling coal into the furnace in the basement of his school, while other kids were having lunch. Those early struggles built a determination in him that forged the man he became. For all the struggles he had and witnessed he lived the rest of his life helping, caring and loving people through their struggles. Over the years he worked tirelessly and sometimes at multiple jobs to support his family. He did it all with a smile on his face and love in his heart.
Even with all the hard work, Earl found time to enjoy his biggest passion in life, which was the outdoors. Earl loved to fish and hunt. He had a wealth of knowledge about the outdoors. In true Earl fashion he shared that passion and knowledge with so many. He shaped people’s lives by bringing them to the outdoors. He even entered the PA record books by harvesting the 10th largest buck to be taken with a bow in the state at that time. His love for the outdoors ended up coining him a nickname, Earl the Squirrel. The nickname was given not because he was crazy but because he took such great care of all us nuts in his life!
His life carried him to Florida where he spent time being closer to those of his family that missed out on time spent with him earlier in life. No matter where he lived or called home, he continued to enrich everyone with joy and love. He befriended everyone he worked with, lived near, or just came in casual contact with. He came back to PA not because he missed the cold weather but because he was called upon and answered the need of his ill stepdaughter. Who he loved and cared for as if he was her biological father. Earl had seen so many of his loved ones pass but he soldiered on. Even in his final days he was more concerned about those he would leave behind without his love and care, than relieving the pain his body had now put him in. As he did throughout his entire life, he pushed back time and stayed and fought until every last bit of energy left him.
His life was one to marvel at and will never be duplicated. He was a man of such greatness that these words don’t even begin to describe who he really was or what he endured. We mourn his passing, but I hope you will all join his family in rejoicing in his memory and in knowing his spirit lives on. Goodbye Earl until we see you again. Please rest in peace and we all know you will have everything in perfect order for when we meet again. Even if you have to build it out of duct tape and safety pins!
Earl was preceded in death by his father Joseph, mother Emma, his twin brother Joseph, brother Thomas, sisters Clara and Tillie. Earl is survived by his loving wife Anita, his brother Paul (Donna), his sons Robert and Mark, daughters Lynn and Joanie, and was a devoted father to Martha, Steve & the late Anita, who called him Dad. His loving friend, caregiver and “adopted” niece Terri Randolph, Numerous grandchildren, and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you with the utmost gratitude to Martha Zeeb and Terri Randolph for caring for Earl in his greatest time of need. You sacrificed so much to provide love and gentle care to Earl and made his final days worthy of the man you cared for. God Bless you both and to all of the people from Suncrest Hospice Care!
A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
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