SHIRLEY JOAN HOSTETLER

December 27, 1926 – November 27, 2017

SHIRLEY JOAN HOSTETLER, 90, was welcomed into her heavenly home Monday, November 27, 2017. She was born December 27, 1926, the youngest child of Elmer and Nancy (Yoder) Smucker. She was a life-long resident of West Liberty, Ohio. On October 20, 1948, Shirley married Dwight Hostetler whom she knew from childhood. They were married 68 years until Dwight passed away eight months ago. Dwight and Shirley were the oldest married couple at Oak Grove Mennonite Church where they were both life-long members. Together they had five children: Conrad, Twila, Phama, Michael and Timothy.

Shirley was a hard-working, high-energy little woman. She patiently and tenderly cared for Timothy, their special needs son, as long as she was physically able. Shirley was a wonderful cook and gracious hostess who delighted in preparing large feasts for her family. Shirley was happiest when she was busy working in her kitchen or vegetable garden, tending her flowers, freezing produce or helping Dwight create beautiful wooden toys in his workshop. At the age of 60, Shirley was one of the first staff members employed at the Green Hills Child Care Center when it opened 30 years ago. Later, she volunteered at Green Hills, assisting in activities for senior residents. In their retirement years she enjoyed traveling with Dwight all over North America and making countless trips to various states where their daughters lived. She always enjoyed family gatherings with relatives from both large extended families of the Smuckers and the Hostetlers.

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Shirley is survived by her four children: two sons, Conrad (Ginny) Hostetler and Michael (Nancy) Hostetler, both from West Liberty; two daughters, Twila (Bob) Good from Hesston, Kansas, and Phama (Robert) Woodyard from Lynden, Washington; brother-in-law Donald Hostetler and sister-in-law June Hostetler; eighteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Dwight on February 12, 2017, her son Timothy, her parents, one brother and 3 sisters. The Hostetler family sincerely thanks the staff at Green Hills Care Center and INN for their loving care for Shirley throughout her two years there.

A Celebration of Life honoring Shirley will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, December 9, at Oak Grove Mennonite Church. Guests may gather one hour prior to meet the family. Pastor Dick Barrett will officiate the service.

Memorial contributions may be made in Shirley's memory to:
Oak Grove Care and Share / Jenna Fund

1525 Mennonite Church Rd. West Liberty, OH  43357
The family is being served by Jennings Farley Funeral Home & Crematory.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at jenningsfarley@gmail.com