Slaughenhoupt

Shirl Ralph Slaughenhoupt, of Palm Bay, Fla., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, May 25, 2026, with his family by his side.

Shirl was born in Perry Township, Clarion County, on May 21, 1930, to Laurence and Margie Gates Slaughenhoupt. He was raised on the family farm and after graduating from high school where he was voted class clown, Shirl enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict. He served in the 3rd Radio Relay Squadron in London.

While home on leave, he met the love of his life, Joanie Colbert, at a community square dance. They corresponded for six months before Joanie joined Shirl at Fort Bragg, in North Carolina, for an elopement. They had their first child, Cathy, while in North Carolina. After being discharged from the service, Shirl and his young family moved back to Parker, Pa., where he built their first home. It was there that Shirl and Joanie had their second child, Terri.

Shirl worked at Knox Glass Corp. in Parker for a number of years, when he was asked to transfer to Danielson, Conn., to open and manage a new Knox Glass factory. Shortly thereafter they had their third child, Bruce. Shirl was then recruited to be the plant manager for Delta Rubber Corp. in Danielson. After a 10-year stint, Shirl returned to his roots in the glass industry and became a member of the engineering and sales departments at Emhart Corp., in Windsor, Conn.

Upon retiring, Shirl and Joanie moved to the Space Coast of Florida, where they enjoyed their morning low tide walks and made many good friends. Most recently, he had been enjoying the wonderful community at Glenbrooke Senior Living in Palm Bay, Fla.

Shirl was a member of the Mason’s Moriah Lodge No. 15 in Brooklyn, Conn., the Brotherhood of Elks Lodge 1706 in Danielson, the American Legion Post 598 in Parker, as well as the United Methodist Church of Danielson.

Surviving are his wife, Joan Colbert Slaughenhoupt; their three children, Cathy Thomson (Jim), Terri Hardwick and Bruce Slaughenhoupt, MD; as well as their four grandchildren, Alison Bush, Keith Hardwick, Lauren Crownshaw and Craig Hardwick; and 10 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Shirl was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jane McMillen; and brothers, Arnold and Gerald Slaughenhoupt.

Shirl did not wish for a memorial service. Instead, his ashes will be buried in his parents’ plot in the Parker Cemetery.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.