Ralph "Mike" Gochenour, 84, of Maurertown, passed away Thursday, August 8, 2019 suddenly on his farm along The Shenandoah River near Maurertown, VA.
Ralph was born January 2, 1935 in Maurertown, VA. He was the son of the late John Wilbur and Jessie Beatley Gochenour.
Ralph "Mike" was a graduate of Woodstock High School, Class of 1953 and often told tales of riding his horse to school.
He attended Berea College in Berea, Kentucky where he lived in Guest House, known as the champions of intramural sports and worked as a bellhop at Boone Tavern to help fund his education.
Prior to graduating, Ralph returned to Shenandoah County due to his father's poor health and ran the family's massive farm on the north end of Woodstock.
He began his 26-year career with the United States Department of Interior in 1969 as a part-time back country ranger on Skyline Drive and eventually retired from there as the supervisor of Mathews Arm Campground.
During these years with The Shenandoah National Park, he continued his beef cattle farm operation and operated Native Woods Lumber Mill, providing firewood, custom lumber, and more for many local crafters, builders and furniture makers.
His hobbies included milling native hardwoods, fishing, making fine crafts, picking walnut kernels and searching for Native American artifacts on his ancestral land with his grandson. He was especially proud of having sawn the timber to build his family home on Sawmill Lane.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Bryant Gochenour; and two brothers, Harold and William Gochenour.
Ralph is survived by three sons, Larry Michael Gochenour (Cena Hubbell) of Toms Brook, VA, Gary Lee Gochenour (Tracie) of Manassas, VA, and Matthew Paul Gochenour of Maurertown, VA; a daughter, Kelly Gochenour Phillips (Blake) of Woodstock, VA; two grandchildren, Hunter Phillips of Maurertown, VA, and Meredith Phillips of Woodstock, VA; companion, Betty Jean Clifton, of Stephens City, VA; a brother, John W. Gochenour of Woodstock, VA; two sisters, Judy Shirkey (Henry) of Edinburg, VA. and Linda Wilkins (Mike) of Woodstock, VA; two sisters-in-law, Jill Gochenour of Woodstock, VA, and Dixie R. Gochenour of Jerome, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. Sunday, August 11 at The Valley Pike Church of the Brethren, 83 Headley Road, Maurertown, VA.
The funeral will also be held at the church at 2 p.m. Monday, August 12 followed by interment in the church cemetery among multiple generations of his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bonnie B. Gochenour Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Shenandoah Community Foundation, P.O. Box 31, Woodstock, VA 22664.
Arrangements are in the care of Dellinger Funeral Home, Woodstock.
Online condolences can be left at www.dellingerfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Our Thoughts and Prayers for Your Family
Bob Spiker Sr and Family
August 13, 2019
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God provided comfort during this time of great loss. Mr. Gochenour always had a smile on his face when I would see him at Ben's Diner. He will be missed by many.
Carolyn Miller
August 12, 2019
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Mr Mrs Richard Pence Sr
August 11, 2019
Sorry for your loss. Your Father was a very interesting man who I enjoyed having conversations about lumber and wood in general.
Greg and Becky Lambert
Greg Lambert
August 11, 2019
Linda, Judy and families: So sorry to learn of Mike's passing. Please accept our deepest condolences in this time of grieving.
Allan & Pam Rickard
August 11, 2019
With our sympathy for you loss,
Phil,April,Cole & Brady
Baker
August 10, 2019
So very sorry for your loss. Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Debbie Kilby
August 10, 2019
Thoughts and prayers for the Gochenour family.
Donna Dellinger
August 10, 2019
My thoughts and prayers to the Gochenour family.
Donna Dellinger
August 10, 2019
So sorry for your loss. Praying for the family.
Eddy Sherman
August 10, 2019
Mike an I were classmates and graduated from Woodstock High School. We just had our 66th Class Reunion on Saturday night. We were fortunate enough to celebrate with him.
Debbie and I send our condolences to the family.
He will be remembered as a strong ,upright and hard working Gentleman.
Donald Ritenour
August 9, 2019
Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Gochenour family. Mike & Bonnie became great friends of ours during the years we lived in Woodstock, and have remained so for many years. We always look forward to visiting with Mike during lunches at Ben's when we come to Woodstock. We will miss him greatly.
Everette & Nancy Varney
August 9, 2019
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Dellinger Funeral Home - Woodstock157 North Main Street, Woodstock, VA 22664
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