Samuel David Hostetler, beloved husband of Jean (Baker) Hostetler, was born on April 7, 1936, to Ova and Mary (Kropf) Hostetler at Shelby County, Illinois.
He passed away unexpectedly on April 19, 2017 at the age of 81 yrs., 12 days, at Hillcrest Rehab in Harrison, Ark., after being there 2 weeks for therapy.
He accepted Christ as his personal Savior in his youth and was baptized, being a faithful member of the Bethel AM Church until his death. On Sept. 16, 1976, he was ordained to the office of Deacon, and on Sept. 21, 1986 he was ordained Bishop of Bethel Amish Mennonite Church, Berryville, Ark. He faithfully fulfilled his calling as long as his health permitted.
On May 13, 1956, he was united in marriage to (Irma) Jean (Baker) Hostetler, daughter of Harley and Esther Baker at Fairfield AM Church, Tampico, Illinois, sharing the joys and sorrows of married life for almost 61 years. This union was blessed with 8 children: 3 sons, Lowell, Leland (and wife Evelyn, deceased), Dale and wife Debbie, all of Berryville; 5 daughters, Linda and husband Ray Hostetler, Omaha, Texas, Janet and husband Sam Kropf of Green Forest, Ark., Joanne and husband Dan Hostetler of Mena, Ark., Rose and husband Leon Kropf, Berryville, Beth and husband Neil Shrock, Berryville. Also surviving are 44 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Robert and wife Virginia, Richland Center, Wisc., Clifford and wife Eunice, Berryville, brother-in-law Ernest Blosser, Tampico, Illinois, sister-in-law Ruth Hostetler, Clarksville, Ark., sister-in-law Leona Hostetler, Buffalo, Mo., 2 sisters, Sadie and husband Edward Headings, Lorimor, Iowa, Naomi and husband Eldon Shrock, Green Forest.
He was preceded in death by 4 granddaughters, Norlene, Kristine, Lisa, and Brooklyn; 3 great-granddaughters, Makayla, Alivia, Malisa; daughter-in-law Evelyn Hostetler; parents Ova and Mary Hostetler; 2 brothers, Andy and John; 3 sisters, Alice and husband Amos Kropf, Mabel and husband Joseph Garretson, Ruth, Mrs. Ernest Blosser.
Visitation was from 5:00 p.m. – Funeral service was at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the Bethel A.M. Church, Berryville, Ark. Interment followed the service at the Bethel A.M. Cemetery under the direction of Nelson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at nelsonfuneral.com. © Nelson Funeral Service, Inc. 2017.
