Joseph Leland Hostetler
1937 - 2021
Joseph Leland Hostetler, 84, passed
away on April 24, 2021 at Schowalter Villa in Hesston, Kansas. He was
born on January 31, 1937 at Kalona, Iowa to Alvin and Ida (Miller)
Hostetler. Joe graduated from Iowa Mennonite School and received a
Master of Educational Technology degree from East Texas State
University.
Joe spent his entire career in
education. The last 30 years of his career, he was the Director of
Media Resources at Hesston College for ten years and then Butler
County Community College for 20 years, before he retired.
He was a member of Hesston Mennonite
Church. Joe was involved in Mennonite Voluntary Service in Mathis,
Texas for two years before moving to Alice, TX. to help in a church
plant. After 17 years in Texas, he then made his home in Hesston, KS.
Joe had many hobbies, including raising
and giving away African Violets, woodworking, gardening and
photography. He was known as a jack-of-all-trades handyman. He loved
spending time with his family and friends. Joe always had a smile for
everyone.
Joe married Norma Jean Hershberger on
April 26, 1958, in Wellman, Iowa. They shared nearly 63 years
together. She survives of the home.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his
sons, Keith (Beth) Hostetler of Hesston, Charles (Karla) Hostetler of
Hesston, and Kurt (Shawn) Hostetler of Newton; five grandchildren;
one great-grandchild; brother, Leslie Hostetler, Kalona, IA; sister,
Emma Jean Miller, Kalona, IA; sisters-in-law, Susie Hostetler,
Kalona, IA, Ruth Hershberger, and Phyllis Hershberger both of
Wellman, IA, Alice Mary Hershberger of Florida, Mary Miller of
Indiana; and brother-in-law, Carroll Hershberger of Iowa.
Joe was preceded in death by his
parents; daughter, Carol Jean Hostetler; brother, Edwin Hostetler;
sisters, Mary Brenneman, and Ruth Anna Hostetler.
Cremation has taken place. Funeral
services will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Hesston
Mennonite Church. The service will be livestreamed at
https://hesstonmc.org/livestream/. Private family inurnment will be
at Eastlawn Cemetery. Family will meet with friends one hour prior to
service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Good
Samaritan Fund (for Schowalter Villa), or Harvey County Compassionate
Friends (please make checks payable to Harvey County TCF) and sent in
care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, P.O. Box 32, Hesston, KS. 67062
