Wendell R. Hostetler, 95
Orrville – Wendell R. Hostetler, age 95, entered into his heavenly home on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Wendell was born in Orrville, Ohio, on October 25, 1928, to the late Melvin J. and Elizabeth Burkholder Hostetler. He married Phyllis A. Hoover of Rittman, Ohio on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1953.
Wendell studied at Goshen College (Goshen, IN) and graduated from Kent State University (Kent, OH), using his degree to teach industrial arts classes in Rittman Public Schools and then at Central Christian High School (Kidron, OH) where he also served in administrative roles for ten years. During the Korean Conflict, Wendell served a 1-W term at Columbus (OH) State Hospital. He earned a master’s degree in School Administration at The University of Akron.
Wendell was an active member of Smithville Mennonite Church and a former member of Orrville Mennonite Church. He served as an Elder, a life-long Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School Superintendent, and made the church the cornerstone of his life.
His dedication to the church was also apparent as he served as a skilled draftsman for religious organizations including, but not limited to, Sonnenberg Mennonite Church, Camp Luz Chapel, Orrville Mennonite Church & parsonage, MCC Activity Center, MCC Connections, Central Christian School, Smithville Mennonite Church, and Breakaway Inc.
He was an active part of the community, drafting plans for local landmarks such as: Apple Creek Motors, Smith Dairy, Schantz Organ, Orrville YMCA, and Orrville Trucking & Grading. He also drafted plans for many local residents, in addition to his own Hostetler family homes on East Oak Street, Heatherwood Lane, and Jerome Drive in Orrville, Ohio.
He founded Apex Strings as a designer and builder of violins, cellos, and violas. As a woodworker, he designed and built grandfather, grandmother, and schoolmaster clocks, cribs, cradles, and furniture, as well as making donations to the annual MCC Relief Sale.
Wendell was owner/operator of Hostetler’s Plans. Continuing his boyhood interest in radio controlled model airplanes, he designed, drew plans, and built and flew over fifty different quarter scale model airplanes. His plans were sold worldwide. For his many innovative contributions to the hobby, Wendell received numerous awards and commendations which included being inducted into the Model Aviation Hall of Fame in 2021. Though Wendell has taken his “final flight,” his legacy carries on with modelers continuing to build giant scale airplanes from his plans.
Wendell was exemplary in his dedication to the church, in his trade and craft, and also in the love and dedication to his family. On February 14th of this year, he celebrated 71 years of marriage with his wife, Phyllis.
Wendell desired to be remembered as living a life as described in Psalm 1:
Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
Wendell is survived by his wife, Phyllis; Ray Hostetler (Marilyn) of Simi Valley, CA and their children, Ryan and Rachel; Linda Bishop (Eric) of Souderton, PA and their children, J. Wendell and Angela; and Elaine Miller (Benjamin) of Berlin, OH and their children, Jeptha, Elsa and Anna; and eight great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held at Auble Funeral Home, 512 E. Oak Street, Orrville, Ohio on Monday, September 9, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Celebration of Life service will be held at Smithville Mennonite Church, 6097 Akron Road, on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 11:00 am with a luncheon to follow. The service will be live streamed at facebook.com/AubleFuneralHome.
Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
