Robert D. “Bob” Hostetler
Robert Dale “Bob” Hostetler was born March 8, 1956 in Seward, Nebraska. He passed away, at the age of 56 years 6 months and 17 days on Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at his home in Dorchester surrounded by his loving family following a three year courageous struggle with stomach/esophageal cancer. As a young boy, Bob attended Dorchester Public School and graduated with the class of 1974. Bob farmed with his dad after graduation and later was united in marriage to Patricia Gill on March 4, 1977 in Marysville, KS and to this union three children were born: a son, Shawn, and two daughters, Patrice and Emily.
Bob was employed with the State of Nebraska Department of Roads for three years and with Tenneco Automotive as a power trucker (forklift) in Seward for over 32 years. He also continued to farm with his family until 1989. Bob has also owned and operated “Hostetler Lawn Service” since 1992.
Bob was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crete and the Pink Sisters Auxiliary of Lincoln. He was always a hard working, caring and loving husband and father and grandfather. Landscaping and shaping the yard was something Bob enjoyed. He also loved the times spent with his family and friends, especially the Friday night outings with neighbors and friends. He loved attending the many school and summer activities that his children and grandchildren participated in.
Bob is survived by his wife of 35 years, Patricia, daughters and sons-in-law, Patrice and Rod Jackson, Emily and Chad McGuire, all of Lincoln, son and daughter-in-law, Shawn and Lisa Hostetler, Pickrell, six grandchildren, Ainsley and Kaitlyn Hostetler, Allie and Tucker Jackson, Laina and Ava McGuire.
Bob was preceded in death by his father, Dale Hostetler, father-in-law, Timothy Gill, sisters-in-law, Kathryn Gill-Bojanski, Kim Miller Hostetler, brother-in-law, Lee Hergenrader, a nephew, Aaron Gill and his house cat, “Blacky”.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crete, with Fr. David Bourek, Fr. Julius Trvdy and Fr. John Keefe, officiating. Interment was in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Friend. The Rosary was on Friday, at 7pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation was at Lauber-Moore Funeral Home, Friend and one hour prior to service at the church on Saturday. Memorials have been established and may be directed in care of the family. Pallbearers are his brothers-in-law, Ray Kastanek, Tim, Michael, Patrick and Dan Gill, Larry Woolman and Dale Kalkwarf. Honorary Pallbearers are Steve Parks, Mark Bleach, Gary Palky, Bud Zoubek, Todd Bruns, Jeff Stilwagon, Jeff Neihardt, Brent Stutzman and Jamie Riley. Organist, Pat Butt, accompanied the congregation as they sang “Here I Am Lord” and the vocalist, Amy Rains, as she sang “Lord You Are Mine” and “Ave Maria”. Holly Klein accompanied Abbey Klein as she sang “On Eagles Wings”. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Lauber-Moore Funeral in Friend, Nebraska.
