David Hostetler, 97, of West Liberty, passed away on Saturday, September 2, 2023, in Green Hills Care Center in West Liberty, Ohio. One of 10 children, David was born in Westover, Maryland on October 31, 1925, a son of the late George Milton Hostetler and Mary Belle (Smucker) Hostetler.
Growing up on a small farm, as he came of age he moved to Pennsylvania where he married Anna Pearl (Longacre) Hostetler. She preceded him in death on February 18, 2000. He married Sarah Jeanette (Plank) Miller Hostetler in December 2001. After five years in Pennsylvania, they moved to West Liberty, where he lived the remainder of his life. Sarah preceded him in death on January 19, 2016. He was also preceded in death by eight siblings: Mable Overholt, Susie Kurtz, Marie Detwiler, John Hostetler, Mark Hostetler, Joseph Hostetler, George Hostetler, and Elmer Hostetler.
David is survived by his two children, Linda Kulp of Williston, Vermont, and Keith Hostetler of Shartlesville, Pennsylvania; two grandchildren, Ben Kulp and Jessica Kulp; a great grandson, Nathan Kulp; and a sister, Sara Grace Yoder.
David spent the majority of his working life improving the aesthetics of homes as a painter and paper hanger. He had only one minor fall off a ladder in 60 years, working into his early 80s. David kept a vegetable garden his entire life, from ten acres of sweet corn in Pennsylvania to a large plot turned over by hand up to two years ago. He enjoyed sharing his vegetables and his gladiolus. David enjoyed keeping up with close and extended family. He felt he had ‘come home’ when he moved to West Liberty in 2006, although he had never lived there before, but because his parents grew up in the West Liberty area. David was blessed to feel the support of so many in his new home as he navigated through life changes.
Pastor Rebecca Kauffman will officiate a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 23, at Bethel Mennonite Church, 416 Washington Street in West Liberty. Inurnment will be in South Union Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions may be made, in David’s memory, to Bethany Birches Camp, Attn: New Tractor/Mower Fund, 2610 Lynds Hill Road, Plymouth, VT 05056.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, West Liberty, is honored to serve the Hostetler family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
