Esther N. Hostetter, 101, passed away November 14, 2024, at Landis Homes after a brief illness. She was born January 14, 1923, the daughter of Viola (King) and Adrian Miller in northern Ohio.
At age ten, the family relocated to southwestern Ohio in the West Liberty community. It was here she formed lasting friendships and made a lifetime commitment to Jesus and the church she had learned to love.
Following high school graduation, she spent three winters at Canadian Mennonite Bible School where her concepts of the Christian faith expanded and grew.
In 1946, she volunteered for an assignment with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and subsequently spent a year in rural Puerto Rico. It was here she met and married C. Nelson Hostetter. They enjoyed 69 years of marriage before his death in 2016.
Their path in the next few years took them to several locations as he furthered his education and she supported them. They lived in West Liberty, OH from 1951 to 1971 where they attended Oak Grove Mennonite Church. There they served the community in a small-town funeral home before answering a call, again from MCC, and relocated to Akron, PA. She was a faithful member of Akron Mennonite Church for 53 years.
In the mid-1970’s she began working for Self-Help Crafts (which later became Ten Thousand Villages) in various capacities including secretarial support for the Director. A highlight of this time was a work trip to India that made a lasting impression. She retired in 1986. In her retirement years she volunteered at the Material Resources Center where she especially enjoyed quilting. Esther and Nelson moved to Landis Homes in 2009.
She is survived by a daughter, Kaye Book, Brevard, NC; son Chris Hostetter, Akron, PA; grandson Travis Book and two great-grandchildren, Ruby and Ry Book, all of Brevard, NC; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were a brother, Gerald Miller and a sister, Dorothy (Eldon) King.
The family would like to thank her care teams at the Aspen and Ephrata Houses of Landis Homes, and Caring Hospice Services for the excellent care she received at the end of her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Esther’s memory to Akron Mennonite Church, 1311 Diamond St, Akron, PA 17501, Mennonite Central Committee, 21 S 12th St, Akron, PA 17501, Ten Thousand Villages, P.O. Box 307, Akron, PA 17501 and the Landis Homes Benevolent Fund, 1001 E. Oregon Road, Lititz, PA 17543.
A funeral service takes place Jan. 25 at Akron Mennonite Church, Akron, Pa. . Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata.
