HARRISONBURG, Va. and ELKHART, Ind. (MennoMedia/Mennonite Mission Network) — David E. Hostetler, age 84, died at the home of his son, Marc Hostetler, on Sept. 24, 2014, in Reinholds, Pennsylvania, from complications of Parkinson’s disease.
He served from 1955-1969 with Mennonite Board of Missions, a predecessor agency to Mennonite Mission Network, in Brazil. He planted and pastored several churches, founded a chain of four Christian bookstores, and worked with publishing and literacy work. He and his wife, Rose, were associated with the Brazilian Mennonite conference, Associação Evangélica Menonita (Evangelical Mennonite Association).
“Dave Hostetler was a very personable colleague,” wrote Otis Hochstetler, a Mennonite Mission Network colleague in Brazil. “He was sent to be a church planter in the city of Valinhos, São Paulo, Brazil, which he did, but he desired more opportunities to meet more people in a natural way. So he started the first Christian bookstore in the nearby larger city of Campinas.”
“I remember how kind [he was] in orienting me as manager of the bookstore,” said Hochstetler. “Dave was always sensitive of speaking Portuguese when Brazilians were present. His Portuguese was excellent! He was a good model for new missionaries coming to Brazil.”
From 1971-2010, Hostetler lived in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, where he worked at Mennonite Publishing House as news editor of Gospel Herald, as well as stints as editor of Christian Living and Purpose.
Download full-resolution image.Richard Kauffman, a colleague of Hostetler’s at Mennonite Publishing House and now senior editor at the Christian Century, wrote of Hostetler: “Dave was a professionally trained journalist who used his gifts to serve the church. He had the heart of a pastor, and served as mentor, friend, and confidant to many.” Kauffman added, “He didn’t take himself too seriously and had a great sense of humor.”
While living in Scottdale, the Hostetlers were involved in the local Mennonite community and in Allegheny Mennonite Conference. David served as overseer for several churches in the conference, and was deeply appreciated for his gentle presence, his listening ear, and his skills in conflict resolution.
David was born on Oct. 27, 1929, to Emerson and Luella (Lehman) Hostetler in Orrville, Ohio, and lived in Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, Brazil, New York, and Pennsylvania. Later he served Laurelville Mennonite Church Center (Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania) as program director.
Hostetler graduated from Goshen College in 1952 and studied at Goshen Biblical Seminary 1954-1955. Later he did graduate studies in journalism and mass communications at Syracuse University.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Rosanna (Yoder) Hostetler, Reinholds, Pa.; children, D. Michael Hostetler, Kitchener, Ontario; J. Marcos Hostetler, Reinholds, Pa.; James D. Hostetler, Goshen, Ind.; Marcella Hostetler, Lancaster, Pa.; and Monica Harnish, Bluffton, Ohio; 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and siblings, Anne Fath, Dalton, Ohio; John Hostetler, Evensville, Tenn.; Ron Hostetler, Orrville, Ohio; Jep Hostetler, Goshen, Ind.; Dan Hostetler, Dalton, Ohio; and Jayne Coffy, Wooster, Ohio.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, 3 p.m. at Scottdale Mennonite Church in Scottdale, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to MennoMedia, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802; Mennonite Mission Network, PO Box 370, Elkhart, IN 46515-0370; or Mennonite World Conference, P.O. Box 5364, Lancaster, PA 17606-5364.
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This is a joint release from MennoMedia and Mennonite Mission Network. For more information, contact Sara Alvarez, SaraA@MMNWorld.net, or Melodie Davis, MelodieD@mennomedia.org.
