Darrel M. Hostetler, 91, Goshen, Indiana, died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, at Greencroft Healthcare. He was born Jan. 16, 1933, in Farmerstown, Ohio, to Atlee and Nettie (Friedt) Hostetler. On Aug. 15, 1954, he married Marian (Brendle) Hostetler.
Surviving him are his wife: Marian of Goshen; two sons: Bruce (Laura Chisholm) Hostetler of Portland, Oregon, and Rick (Kim) Hostetler of Goshen; two daughters: Brenda (Rich) Meyer of Millersburg, Indiana and Anne (Kobi) Menahemy of Oakland, California; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister: Joanne (Nelson) Kilmer of Hesston, Kansas.
Preceding him in death are his parents; a son: Michael Alan Hostetler; and four siblings: Anna Hostetler, Robert Hostetler, Richard Hostetler and Louise Evans.
Darrel was a 1951 graduate of Berlin High School, Berlin, Ohio and a 1955 graduate of Goshen College with degrees in music and theology. He later received an MA in choral music at the University of Iowa and an MDiv from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary. Over the years he taught music and Bible at Iowa Mennonite School and Bethany Christian High School, served as Executive Director at Walnut Hill Daycare, and administrator at Mennonite Disabilities Committee. He and Marian were missionaries in Nigeria from 1963-1965 and did voluntary service in Eswatini (Swaziland) from 1979-1982. In his later years Darrel worked as a CNA, drove taxi and medical transportation, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels.
A member of North Goshen Mennonite Church, he served as assistant pastor there for a time, and Minister of Music for 36 years. Darrel directed the Evergreen Singers and the MCC Relief Sale Men’s Chorus. Among other things he will be remembered for his love of music, his listening and openness to people and ideas, and his sense of humor.
He is buried at Benton Lutheran Cemetery, Goshen. His memorial service was held at North Goshen Mennonite Church on Feb. 4, 2024. Memorial donations may be sent to MCC or the Center for Healing and Hope, Goshen.
