In Memory Of
Bruce D. Hostetler

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
2Timothy 4:6-7

Bruce David Hostetler, was born April 19, 1948 in Milford, Nebraska to F. Dale and Vivien (Schweitzer) Hostetler, the 2nd of 4 children, and passed away peacefully Thursday, January 21, 2010 at Harry Heinz Hospice Center at Via Christi St. Francis Medical Hospital in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 61 years, 9 months and 2 days. As a young boy he accepted Christ as his personal savior and was baptized at West Fairview Mennonite Church. Bruce graduated from Friend Public School with the class of 1966. In 1984 he graduated from Hesston College and in May of 2009 he earned his pastoral ministry degree. Bruce was united in marriage to Cheryl Stutzman on April 4, 1970 at East Fairview Mennonite Church and to this union Lezlie, Cydney and Luke were born.
For ten years they made their home on a farm near Friend where Bruce raised crops and livestock. After his graduation from Hesston College they made their home in Milford where Bruce worked at several occupations before he and Cheryl started their own construction company, Hostetler Patio Enclosures, Inc. In 2007, Bruce sold the company and pursued his passion for service to God and others. He was serving as lead interim pastor at Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston, KS where he was a member.
He was a dedicated worker and encouraged others to exceed their expectations. In his spare time, Bruce enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, and loved spending time with his family. He and his family frequently traveled and visited the west coast. He was an avid reader and also enjoyed writing. Bruce had a very outgoing positive personality, had a great sense of humor and enjoyed family, friends and everyone he came in contact with.
Survivors: wife, Cheryl, Hesston; children and spouses, Lezlie and Nat Patton, Milford, Cydney and Kevin Eshleman, Los Gatos, CA, Luke and Crystal Hostetler, Lincoln; grandchildren, Katie and Jake Patton, Brooke Eshleman; mother, Vivien Hostetler, Milford; brothers and sister-in-law, Lynn and Patricia Hostetler, Columbia, MO, Mark Hostetler, Milford; sister and brother-in-law, Coleen and Dean Cross, Milford; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Marcia and Bob Troyer, Lincoln, Dave and Kathy Stutzman, Milford, Darla and Gary Armstrong, Milford, mother-in-law and spouse, Marcille and Henry Friesen, Milford, nieces, nephews, host of other relatives and friends.
Bruce was preceded in death by his father, F. Dale Hostetler, father-in-law, Aden Stutzman.
A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, January 25, 2010, at Bellwood Mennonite Church, Milford, with Pastors David Miller and Denny Jantzi officiating. Burial prior to the service at Blue Mound Cemetery, Milford. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1-4:00 p.m. at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Milford and 5-8:00 p.m. at Bellwood Mennonite Church. Memorials have been established and are directed in care of the family. Local arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Milford.

Inspirations from Bruce's journal:

"Every day is a gift. Every hour, every moment. The lives of those we have helped shape, as well as brought into this world, we find fulfillment in our lives and a sense of endless "circle of life" in which we are all apart- knowing or unknowing. I can only hope that something in my lifetime of influence of those that remain will help them cope with some of the difficulties they may face in a way that makes their lives happy. God knows that I haven't done everything right. It's a good thing he forgives me so I start each day with a fresh start. Maybe the most important thing I've learned is to be thankful.

I have been lucky and blessed in my life. One never knows where we would be if the circumstances would have been different. So now I just feel good. Good because I can be a part of this family and help make a difference for the better in all of their lives. That gives me a good feeling in the "past the middle" years of my journey of the planet Earth. One thing I ask of God is to give me life; give me the ability to reach out and love my family. Help me to keep the love going from my generation to the next and the next- forever if you please.

I can't think of anything that would give me more pleasure than making their journey pleasant and a little brighter. There are always hard things to face, but if we are grounded in the faith and grounded in the family, we can "run the course" with joy in our heart no matter what."