Gerald “Smiley” Hotchkiss, 87, of Huron, formerly of Alpena, died on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013 in the SunQuest Health Care Center at Huron.
His funeral was Wednesday in the United Parish of Alpena with burial in the Rest Haven Cemetery at Alpena with military honors by the American Legion Owens-Kunze Post No. 116. A prayer service was held in the Welter Funeral Home at Huron on Tuesday evening.
Gerald Earl Hotchkiss was born to Wallace and Lena (Daleske) Hotchkiss on July 26, 1926 in Beadle County. He served in the Army during the Korean War. He worked at Armour and Company for 18 years. He owned the G and G Recreation Bar and Grill at Alpena for 20 years and later worked as a bus driver.
He married Arlene Schaffer on Aug. 27, 1950 in the American Lutheran Parish at Huron.
He was a member of the United Parish of Alpena and the American Legion Owens-Kunze Post No. 116.
He is survived by his wife, Arlene, of Huron; five children, Jeff (Pat) Hotchkiss of Woonsocket, Rosie (Bob) Haibeck of Alpena, Larry Hotchkiss of Huron, Katie (Les) McKinney of Sioux Falls, and Sue (Craig) Thesenvitz of Huron; a brother, Gilbert (Joyce) Hotchkiss of Alpena; two sisters, Evonne Johnson, of Sioux Falls and Joyce (Karl) Mees of Alpena; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; brother-in-law, Kenneth Doran of Pierre; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Lorraine Doran; and brothers-in-law, Allen, Leonard, Leroy, Arnold and Vernon Schaffer and Donald Johnson.
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