Kenneth Hochhalter

HARDIN - On Sept. 14, 2013, with his trusty dog Copper at his side, Kenneth Wayne Hochhalter passed on to his next destined journey. He was born in Hardin on Sept. 30, 1953, to Henry and Martha (Kirschenmann) Hochhalter.

Ken had many talents and many careers throughout his life. He worked in the family service station in his younger days and later owned and operated many businesses including a record store, fishing guide service, snow plowing business, and the American Inn, all of Hardin. After his early retirement in 2007, his most recent entrepreneurial adventure was with medical marijuana, becoming a caregiver and beginning to write a book. Ken enjoyed fishing, golfing, taking long drives in his red Corvette and playing with electronic "gadgets and gizmos." He knew a little bit about almost everything… and thought he knew about everything else too!

Of all the careers and hobbies and life adventures Ken had, he was the proudest of his children. Sunshine was born in 1981 and was his sidekick and best friend for many years. He often remarked that there is "nothing better in the world, than the sound of your child's laughter." In 1999, Ken welcomed his second child Hannah into the world who was later followed by Sammie, Katie and Carter in 2006. If it were up to Ken, he would have kept having babies until they had babies so that his house would have never been quiet. He was very excited to meet his grandson Olin in May of 2012.

Ken had unconditional love and adoration for his children and will forever be remembered as the dad others wished they had.

Preceding Ken in death were his parents; brothers Gary and Rodney and sister-in-law Gloria Hochhalter.

Ken is survived by his former wives Bell and Harmony; brother Allen (Marie) Hochhalter and sister Cherlyn (Clayton) Greer; daughters Sunshine (Amanda), Hannah, Samantha and Katie Hochhalter; son Kenneth Carter Hochhalter; grandson Olin Hochhalter and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, in the Bullis Funeral Chapel. A Memorial fund for Ken's children has been set up at Little Horn State Bank. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the arrangements.