Edward Paul Hostetler

Edward Paul Hostetler, 77, died peacefully in his sleep in Salem, Oregon on July 6, 2018 from complications following a fractured hip.

Edward was born July 14, 1940, to Paul Edward Hostetler and Sophia Falk Hostetler in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduation from Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Ohio, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1959. He served as a Photographer and later as an Electronics Technician. He served on submarines and aircraft carriers, with his last duty assignment on the USS America. Edward was active in Korea, the Vietnam War, and many other arenas. He spoke gratefully of how he truly did “Join the Navy and see the world.” He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, three Good Conduct awards, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, and Bronze Star. Edward was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1971 at the rank of DS1.

On December 17, 1960, Edward married Arva Gail Priddy. They had three sons: Paul G. Hostetler, born June 5, 1962; Mark W. Hostetler, born January 16, 1965; and David B. Hostetler, born January 10, 1969.

After his Navy service, Edward's employment included positions with the VA Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, as a Biomedical Engineering Technician, and computer and sales positions with Control Data Institute and Digital Equipment Corporation.

Edward received extensive technical training in the U.S. Navy, and further education at Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland, Ohio, and Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon. He taught technical education classes at Case Western Reserve.

Edward married Patricia Hoffman Kennard on October 21, 1989, in Albany, Oregon. They resided in three cities in Oregon: Corvallis, Bend, and Salem. Ed's later employment included an online used book business and office positions with the State of Oregon. He retired in 2002. For several years he acted as a volunteer driver for the Disabled American Veterans, taking veterans to Portland VA Medical Center appointments. He often gave his meal ticket to a needy vet.

As a young man at camp in Ohio, Edward had made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, which remained uppermost throughout his life. In recent years he attended several messianic congregations, the most recent being Cornerstone Baptist Church. By DNA testing Ed had discovered his Jewish heritage through his mother. He was also proud of his Amish lineage on his father's side. Ed was a member of VFW Marion Post 661. He also enjoyed activities at Center 50+, including “just hanging out with the guys.”

Edward's interests included archery, shooting sports, photography, woodworking, sewing (practical items such as nylon lens cases), fly fishing (tying his own flies), RV camping, cooking, and history – especially military history.

Ed was intelligent, forthright, and outgoing, with a sharp wit. He enjoyed talking with all kinds of people, especially veterans. He was a loving and faithful family man.

Ed had experienced dementia in later months, although still quite alert. Since May 24 of this year, he had resided at Brookdale Salem, a dementia care facility.

Edward is survived by his current wife Patricia Hostetler, of Salem, Oregon; former wife Abigail Hostetler, of Bend, Oregon; sons Paul Hostetler (Nici) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Mark Hostetler (Christi) of Bend, Oregon; and David Hostetler (Debi) of League City, Texas; granddaughter Morgan Hostetler Koob (Aaron), of Bend, Oregon; sister Beverly Kauffman (Jerry), of Bluffton, South Carolina; aunt Louise Hostetler of Henrietta, Ohio; several step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandchild.

A private military honors ceremony and burial, for family only, will take place at Willamette National Cemetery, on Tuesday, July 17, at 9 a.m. All are welcome to attend the memorial service at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 4600 Swegle Rd. NE in Salem.