Raymond “Ray” Duane Hostetler was born Oct. 16, 1935, on a farm near Wood River, to Jacob and Verda (Stutzman) Hostetler, the oldest of six children, and went to be with Jesus on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, at his home in Milford at the age of 86.
Shortly after his birth, Ray and his family moved to Iowa before moving back to Nebraska as a young boy. At a very young age, Ray, often with the help of his brother, Ervin, would work for neighboring farms before and after school to support their family. He was united in marriage to Daris Dibbens and to this union, three children were born, Debbie, Kenneth and Rachelle. Ray was employed in construction and drove an asphalt lay-down machine in various places in Nebraska. He also raised rabbits and sold them to Dreisbach’s Restaurant for a period of time. He was married to Lola Jerome in 1960 and to this marriage, three children, Kevin, Cindy and Connie were born. Together, they lived at Carter Lake, Iowa, where he worked as a warehouse manager for Omaha Central Warehouse. Ray was then blessed with a marriage to Judy Henselin on March 3, 1974, in Council Bluffs. Two daughters, Tammy and Sandi, were added to the family. Together they moved to Milford, where Ray was employed as a salesman for Nesci Oil Company in Omaha. When Nesci Oil expanded in 1974, they moved to Milford. In 1980, he began his employment with Salem Oil in Lincoln and eventually began his own successful business, “Milford Distributing” until his retirement in 2000. He also worked at DanBred and Pillen Farms as a courier for 15 years. During his “retirement,” he enjoyed playing golf, camping, watching Nebraska football and spending time with his grandchildren. Ray was fortunate to make a hole-in-one at Thornridge Golf Course on his 65th birthday. In 1984, he turned his life over to Christ and became a member of the Grace Missionary Church and served the church in many capacities. He also served the community as a member of the Senior Center and the Thornridge board of directors. Even though Ray’s life went through many adversities, Ray’s strong faith and love for Christ gave him the strength to endure many of life’s challenges.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Judy, Milford; children and spouses, Debbie and Jeff Meininger, Kenneth and Sue Hostetler, all of Grand Island, Kevin and Lori Hostetler, Omaha, Cindy and John Blaisdell, Colorado Springs, Connie and Garry Hillmer, Central City, Tammy and Rob Potter, Ashland, Sandi and Doug Foust, Shawnee, Kansas; 17 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; brothers and spouses, Jake and Ginada Hostetler, Abilene, Texas, Arlan and Judy Hostetler, Boelus, sister, Fern Jantze, Cairo; sister-in-law, Joy Hostetler, Rockville; many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; brothers and sister-in-law, Ervin and Karen Hostetler, Delmer Hostetler; and a brother-in-law, Claire Jantze.
The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Grace Missionary Church, Milford. Interment is in Blue Mound Cemetery, Milford. Visitation is Friday, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Lauber Funeral Home, Milford, and at Grace Missionary Church from 6 to 8 p.m., where the family will receive relatives and friends. Memorial contributions are suggestedto the Grace Missionary Church or to the Senior Center of Milford. Condolences may be left for the family online at lauberfh.com.
