George Hoden, 95, of Englewood, Florida died on Monday, October 21, 2024, after a brief illness. He was born on April 28, 1929, in Sheffield, Pa., to the late John and Mary Hoden. He was from a large Ukrainian immigrant family and was one of ten children.
George married the love of his life, Beverly Jones, on May 13, 1950. She was his sweetheart from high school, where he was a star on the gridiron and she a cheerleader. They lived in Warren, Pa., where they raised their family of four surrounded by their large respective families and a deeply rooted sense of community. They later retired and moved to Englewood, Fl., while spending summers in Ellicottville, NY.
George worked for the Pennsylvania Electric Company for his entire career. When he was a lineman, the phone was always ringing with emergencies, and he was always willing to go and help people who were without power. As his career progressed, he relished seeing younger linemen learning what he did—working in dangerous conditions in inclement weather and helping others.
This desire to help others was rooted in George’s hard scrabble immigrant background and in his Catholic religious tradition. He believed success in life was possible through hard work, determination, and grit. His longevity is a function of that spirit, especially in light of the many health crises he endured and from which he always recovered. George detested arrogance, and was happy to offer up opinions of people he felt were insufferably self-important. He was, however, impressed by intelligence and academic achievement, especially in his children, grandchildren, and extended family.
George had a hearty sense of humor and enjoyed retelling jokes he heard at work or at the Elks Club, where he was a longtime member. Jackie Gleason’s ‘Honeymooners’, followed by ‘All in the Family’ frame that perspective nicely. Bev tolerated his storytelling to a point, and then would move him on to other, more serious, topics at the family table.
George was intensely competitive. He passionately followed the teams he loved, and sports in general—high school, college, and professional teams. Whether it was football, baseball, soccer, golf, tennis or any other sport, he seemed to have deep knowledge of the statistics, players, and coaching staff. Growing up in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest gave him a deep love for the outdoors and as such he was an avid hunter, expert marksman, and impatient fisherman. In retirement, George became a golf obsessed participant and observer. The cap on this passion was when he hit a hole in one with his sister in-law, nephew and nephew’s spouse as witnesses.
George was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years in 2021, and all his siblings. He is survived by his children, Dan (Sue) of Warren; Beth (John Mickinak) of Greensburg; Sue (Marvin) Reinke of Lewistown, and Toby (Nancy Ameen) of Philadelphia. His nine grandchildren, Lisa (Nick) Radio; George (Louisa) Hoden; Madeleine (Travis) Pittman; Molly (Chris) Loggins; Alex Mickinak; Kara (Brooks) Miller; Lucas Reinke; Olivia Hoden; Justin Hoden; and six great-grandchildren, Bryce Radio; Zachary Radio; Penelope Hoden; Oscar Hoden; Christopher Loggins; and Jeremiah Loggins.
A celebration of his life will be held at a future date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Warren County, Second Harvest Backpack Fund, 310 Second Avenue, Warren, PA 16365 E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com. The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
Dan,
We were saddened to learn of your father’s passing this week.
We were very moved by his obituary. What a perfect tribute to his life.
He was surely a member of the “Greatest Generation”. Please know of our thought and prayers for all of your family at this time. God bless.
Dan, Beth, Sue, & Toby,
we are saddened to hear of your father’s passing. We have such fond memories of your parents and growing up on the east side. Please know all of your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Toby I’m glad we could reminisce about the old days growing up when you called the Foundation..
We were very sad to learn of George’s passing. What a good life they had. They spent a lot of time with my parents and always welcomed us to visit when they lived on the south side. We missed seeing them when they moved to Florida.
We are very sorry to hear of George’s passing. He was a wonderful friend to our parents, Jim and Bette Gotto. I so enjoyed George and Bev’s company and remembered baby sitting all of you children when you were young. Sympathy to you, your spouses, children and their children. May God Bless all of you.
Our prayers go out to all the Hoden Family. George&Bev were the first people to make my wife and myself feel comfortable when we moved to Englewood Fl.we were great friends and after Bev and my wife Lois passing George and I spent a lot of time together,he was loved by all of my family and my wife Barb we will all miss him
Dan and Beth,
I want to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Please cherish all the wonderful memories you have. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
It was great regret we learned of George’s passing in this morning newspaper. George was such a nice man, and always had time to visit with you and always a kind word, joke, or just inquire about our family. I met George as a kid for I was friends with Mike Mohney and other Pennelec employees, and then found out we lived a short ways apart, and I would pass his house on the way home, so I could always get a wave from him. Rest in peace our friend, you have labored hard and leave behind great memories.
Toby,
My condolences on the passing of your father. He lived a good long life.
Your Eastside Childhood Friend,
Dave Oelslager
My condolences to the family, my father and I did work at there house in Warren , that’s when I met him, and any time I would see him he would always make to to talk and laugh and here his stories , great guy! , again my condolences.
Our sympathy to your family. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers,
My wife and I want to extend our deepest sympathy to Dan and the entire Hoden family for the loss of their father. George and his wife Bev were great friends of the entire Lowe family and will be sadly missed. May God be with you during this time.
To The Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
I cannot remember not knowing your Dad,We went to school together,
played football together and partied together.I will always remember
the good times we had. George was a true friend and always a
Gentleman. He will be sadly missed.
GOD BLESS.