Robert Merrill Gochneaur, Sr.

Robert Merrill Gochneaur, Sr., age 80, of North East, MD, died peacefully Thursday, April 7, 2005, surrounded by his family. Born in Conneaut, OH, on July 26, 1924, he was a son of the late Asa and Hazel Evans Gochneaur. He was a resident of Cecil County for 40 years and retired in 1962 after 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy; having proudly served on the submarines USS Angler and USS Proteus. After retiring from the service, he taught at the Service School Command at Bainbridge Naval Center, Newark High School and Cecil Vo-Tech. During that time, he also worked for Philco and as an announcer/engineer for WSER. Mr. Gochneaur was a member of the Zion United Methodist Church, United Methodist Men, VFW Post 6027, Mason Harmony Lodge # 53, A.F. & A.M., Port Deposit, MD, the North East Lions Club- holding many offices and serving as District Governor in 1984, and receiving Lion of the Year, Citizen of the Year and he was a Melvin Jones Recipient. He was also nominated as one of Cecil's Most Beautiful People. In addition to his many accomplishments, he enjoyed golfing and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen and a brother, Merlon Gochneaur. Survivors include his son, Robert Gochneaur, Jr. and his wife Winnie, Elkton, MD, 4 daughters, and their husbands, Linda and Larry Bray, Elkton, MD, Robin and Mike Ciarpella, Jarrettsville, MD, Karen and Wayne Young, Havre de Grace, MD, and Kelly and Glenn Howell, North East, MD, 2 sisters, Betty Wright and Shirley Moore, both of OH, 8 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at Zion United Methodist Church, 94 Old Zion Road, North East, MD. Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM, and again from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Monday, April 11, 2005, at Crouch Funeral Home, 127 South Main Street, North East, MD, with Masonic Services beginning at 8:00 PM. Rev. Hal E. Owens of Zion United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment with full military honors will follow services in North East Methodist Cemetery, North East, MD. The family will accept flowers, however, memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Methodist Church, Att: Memorial Contributions, P.O. Box 482, Rising Sun, MD 21911, or the Northern Chesapeake Hospice Foundation, Att: Memorial Contributions, 229 E. Main Street, Elkton, MD 21921. For condolences, visit www.crouchfuneralhome.com