LOUISBURG--John Hostetler of Louisburg died Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC, at the age of 76. John was born October 2, 1941 to Charles C. Hostetler and Helen Irene (Fowler) Hostetler in Nappanee, IN. He was the third of five children. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Terry Ann Hostetler Denton.

John graduated from Nappanee High School in Indiana. He received an Associates Degree in Business from NOVA, Virginia Beach, VA.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 23, 1960, as a Hospital Corpsman. By his retirement in 1981, he had become a Master Chief. All deployments were on the East Coast (Virginia, South Carolina, Florida and Washington, DC). His first assignment was at the Dispensary at Little Creek, VA. He then was assigned to the USS Parrot (a mine sweeper coastal); the Naval Hospital in Charleston, SC; the USS Monob in Ft. Lauderdale; USS Guadalcanal (LPH); Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, DC.

John married Carole (Armold) on September 23, 1961. He is survived by his wife and two children: daughter, Johnette Cruz (Tom) of Raleigh and son Keith Hostetler (Carol) of Fredericksburg, VA. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Amanda Cruz Ellis (Nathan) of Wendell, Matthew Cruz (Katherine) of Goldsboro, Nicholas Cruz of Raleigh, Ashlynn Hostetler of Fredericksburg, VA, and Andruw Hostetler of Fredericksburg, VA; and great-granddaughter, Abigail Ellis of Wendell; siblings Charles Hostetler, Jr. (Judy) of Deland, FL, Mary Barghahn and Jo Ellen Schmucker (Vern) of Nappanee, IN; nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held at 239 Sacred Fire Rd., Louisburg, on Saturday, February 17, from 1:30 until 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations, in honor of John, may be made to SECU Hospice House, 426 Hospital Rd., Smithfield, NC 27577.

Paid Obituary