Merlene Hostetler

HOTCHKISS, Colo. – Merlene Rose Hostetler, 75, of Hotchkiss, Colo., died Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Samaritan Hospital, Macon, Mo., while visiting her daughter.

Mrs. Hostetler was born April 29, 1934, in Harrisburg, Ore., the daughter of Elmer Earl and Vinnie Sarah (Baker) Hostetler. She married Donald Hostetler on March 21, 1954, in Tampico. She was a member of Mountain View Amish Mennonite Church, Hotchkiss, Colo.

Survivors include her husband; seven children, Rex (Cheryl) Hostetler and Ray (Linda) Hostetler, both of Nashville, Ark., Connie (Steve) Kropf and Londa (Marvin) Garretson, both of Tampico, Cindy (David) Hostetler of Shelbina, Mo., Roland (Anna) Hostetler of Otterville, Mo., and Lucy (Richard) Blosser of Hotchkiss, Colo.; eight sisters, Beulah (Glendon) Kauffman of Creston, Iowa, Betty (Tim) Hostetler of Buffalo, Mo., Bertha (Les) Hostetler of Tampico, Margaret (John) Knox of Sedalia, Mo., Virginia (Victor) Shrock of Tampico, Sharon (Henry) Hostetler of Auburn, Ky., Patty (David) Hostetler of Buffalo, Mo., and Mary (Orvie) Knox of Sedalia, Mo.; five brothers, Marvin Hostetler, Elmer (Martha) Hostetler Jr., and Donald (Susie) Hostetler, all of Buffalo, Mo., Roy (Nora) Hostetler of Clarksville, Ark., and Bob (Regina) Hostetler of Mena, Ark.; 46 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, John and Levi Hostetler; three sisters, Marie Troyer, and twins, Ruth Hostetler and Ruby Hostetler; and two granddaughters.

The funeral is at 10 a.m. Sunday at Fairfield Amish Mennonite Church, Tampico. Burial is at Fairfield Amish Mennonite Cemetery, Tampico. Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Fairfield Amish Mennonite School, Tampico. Arrangements were completed by Greening-Eagan-Hayes Funeral Homes, Shelbina, Mo.