Charles L Hoerning

Charles Leo Hoerning, 87 of Little Egg Harbor New Jersey passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, October 10, 2026 after a six-month battle with cancer. Born in 1939, Charles was raised and grew up in Roselle Park New Jersey where he graduated from the local Roselle Park high school. Upon graduation, his education and passion for mechanics and engineering and cars began. He spent six months as a national guardsman, completing basic training and serving his hours part-time at night, he attended Rutgers University for two years and finished his education at Monmouth College, where he received a degree in mathematics education. He became the youngest employee at Bell labs Murray Hill to which he remained with many for years until his retirement. Charles was part of the original Mechanical Engineering teams and staff at Bell Labs Building in  Holmdel NJ, which is now a popular destination in Monmouth County known as Bell Works. 

He and his wife Elaine of 65 years moved to Middletown New Jersey in the late 1960s and raised their family. In retirement, Charles continued to build, create and design. He created Sleepy Hollow Designs LLC, a consulting firm which supported several builders as well as mechanical companies. He also built his dream garage, where he rebuilt cars and did many car repairs and welding jobs. Charles also taught a drafting class called cad key at night schools in the area. Still with all this, Charles had time for numerous hobbies such as bowling, fishing, golfing and enjoying a cold beer or two in his friends and neighbors garages. When their children were grown, they sold and moved south, splitting their time between Little Egg Harbor, and Fort Pierce, Florida; their happy place. 

He is pre-deceased by his father Fritz, who came to this country at the age of 18, and his mother Beatrice and his brothers Raymond and Arthur Hoerning. 

He is survived by his beloved wife Elaine of 63 years with whom he shared many years of traveling the US and many other countries. Together they were the perfect snow birds sharing many long happy hours and beautiful Florida sunsets! His children, son Christian and daughter-in-law Kathleen Hoerning, daughter Dore Ann and son-in-law Alex Rogers and daughter Tracy Hoerning. His beloved grandchildren, Austin, Rylan and Chase to whom he watched grow up and attended countless soccer games, surfing events, swim meets, band concerts; you name it he was there supporting them. He shared his love of cars, fishing, bad jokes and his infectious grandpa Charlie laugh. 

The family will hold a celebration of life in the near future as that was Charles‘s wish. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made in Charles' name to the American Cancer Society. Sending checks to PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21714.

“Some People leave a trail of words men like him leave a trail of well oiled machines and roads well traveled.”