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Hostetler, Alvin (1921-2003)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Feb 24 p. 11
Birth date: 1921 Feb 28
text of obituary:
By Mennonite Mission Network
GOSHEN, Ind. — Alvin Hostetler, who used his diverse talents to serve God through Mennonite mission agencies in the United States and in India, died Jan. 29 at the Goshen General Hospital of bone cancer and heart problems. He was 81.
"He was a committed and conscientious missionary," said H. Ernest Bennett, executive secretary of Mennonite Board of Missions from 1959 to 1980.
Hostetler was born Feb. 28, 1921, near Topeka, Ind., to David and Mary (Yoder) Hostetler. He married Emma Helen Christner on June 13, 1942.
In 1952, the couple went to Dhamtari, India, as MBM's first Voluntary Service workers to serve overseas. Mission workers had served in India since 1899. Hostetler served as a construction engineer, building and maintaining hospitals and mission compounds, sometimes directing three building crews in different locations. Three years later, Helen died in India.
On Oct. 27, 1956, Hostetler married Goldie Hummel, an MBM mission worker who began serving in India in 1948. Hummel's responsibilities included evangelism and running a girls boarding school. The Hostetler family left India in 1958.
Hostetler also was a photographer for Mennonite mission agencies from 1945 to 1977 and owned his own photography business from 12977 to 1997. He simultaneously operated Hostetler machine and Welding from his garage.
Having served as a radio operator in the 5th U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Hostetler used his skills to evangelize via CB radio. Out of this ministry grew a weekly interdenominational Bible study for young people that met during the 1960s.
Hostetler was a member of Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship in Goshen, where he and Goldie coordinated the prayer chain for many years.
Hostetler is survived by his wife; three daughters, and a son, Gloria Joyce Hostetler, Mari (Kim) Glick and Philip, all of Goshen, and Caroll Beall of Nappanee; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, and a brother, Ervin of Topeka.
