James G. Hochgertel

James G. Hochgertel, 81, of Schuylkill Haven died Tuesday in North Manheim Township. He was born November 7, 1928 in Pottsville son of the late John L. and Hilda Kline Hochgertel. He was a graduate of Pottsville High School and served in the Army during the Korean War. He was the manager of the auto body department of R & R Auto Group prior to retiring. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville where he served as an usher: a life member of Schuylkill Haven Senior Citizens: a life member of Good Intent Fire Co. No. 1, Pottsville: a member of Pulaski Lodge No. 216, Free and Accepted Masons of Pottsville for over 59 years and received a 50 year Masonic service award from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania: a 32nd Degree Mason in the Valley of Reading and a member of Schuylkill County Club of Reading Consistory and was also active in various degrees at Caldwell Consistory, Valley of Bloomsburg: a member of Schuylkill Forest No. 50, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, serving as an appointed officer and was an active participant of the annual MDA Carnival held over the Labor Day weekend: a member of Pottsville Square and Compass Builders Club and a member of Schuylkill Christmas Gala Committee, presently working on the development of the model train displays for the upcoming 2010 Christmas Gala. He was also a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program. He was preceded in death by his wife, Claire Whitman Hochgertel in 2000 and his first wife, the former Joanne Rose: 2 sisters, Anna and Doris Hochgertel: a brother Jack Hochgertel. Surviving are 2 daughters, Robin Lee Hochgertel, Annandale, Virginia and Linda Marberger Shaw, Philadelphia: a sister in law, Leona Hochgertel, Pottsville: a nephew, John Hochgertel, Jr., Pottsville: a great niece, Holly Hochgertel Lubinsky, Pottsville: a great great niece, Jordyn Lubinsky, a great great nephew, Tyler Lubinsky and several cousins. Services will be held on Saturday at 1:00 P.M. from the Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville, with Rev. Harold L. Hand, Jr. and Rev. Darcy M. Reis officiating. A Masonic Memorial Service will be held at Noon. Family and friends may call at the church from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. The daughters would prefer remembrances in the form of contributions made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, Massachusetts 01061-0515 or Pulaski Lodge No. 216 F & AM Memorial Fund, 2nd and Norwegian St., Pottsville, PA 17901. Interment will be at Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville. James E. Humphrey Funeral Home, Pottsville, is in charge of arrangements.