Delbert LeRoy Hostetler passed away November 1, 2018 in his family home surrounded by his family. He was born in the same home on October 26, 1933 to Amra and Ruth (Balmer) Hostetler.  Delbert farmed as a career.  He seemed to be destined to be a farmer when his father taught him to drive a tractor at age 6.  His Mother taught him to bake chocolate chip cookies and the recipe has been handed down to four generations of Hostetler bakers.  He planted roots deep in the Harper, Kansas area.  He attended Pleasant Valley School, Harper High School and Hesston Academy.  These roots prepared him for a lifetime as a responsible husband and father.  Delbert met his first wife Luella Shenk Hostetler on a blind date and married her on October 30, 1953.  This marriage produced four children, Michelle, Tamara, Charisse and Brian.

Delbert worked a dairy and grain farm for nearly sixty years. He was active in church and acted as the trustee for Pleasant Valley Mennonite Church for many years.  He served on the Danville Co-op Board of Directors.  He enjoyed bowling, cards and Dallas Cowboys football.

After the passing of his first wife, Delbert married Mary (Vornauf) Hostetler on May 31, 2008 gaining many new family members.  Mary and Delbert enjoyed travelling, visiting West Virginia, Wyoming and Wisconsin among other places.  On any given morning they could be found enjoying breakfast at the Fence Post Restaurant with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lu and two sisters, Dorothy Hostetler and Helen Miller. He is survived by: his Wife, Mary of Harper, KS; his three daughters Michelle Hostetler and her husband Robert Nugent of Minneapolis, MN;  Tamara Schrock and her husband Steve; Charisse Hostetler all of Harper, KS; one son, Brian Hostetler and his wife Cammi of Kiowa, KS; three sisters; seven grandchildren, Kelsey Starrs and her husband David, Tyler Nugent, Craig Schrock and his wife Lindsay, Nathan Schrock and his wife Kelsey, Corry, Keeli and Kacee Hostetler; four great grandchildren, Eva and Miriam Starrs; Caden Schrock and Grayson Schrock.  He will be missed by countless other relatives, the Vornauf family and many other friends whose lives he blessed.

Friends may view and register from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 5, 2018 at the Harper United Methodist Church with Pastors Elizabeth Winger Young, Wes Young, and Royce Vogt officiating. Interment will follow at the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Cemetery east of Harper.

Memorial contributions may be made in Delbert's name to the Pleasant Valley Mennonite Cemetery or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 613 W 14th ~ Harper, Kansas 67058 is in charge of the arrangements.