Donald Keith Hostetler

Donald Keith Hostetler, 90, passed quietly away at home on Sunday, September 3, 2023. This gentle spirit spent his last days surrounded by those he loved most as they shared stories, watched baseball, and listened to Don play his favorite songs on the piano. A citizen of Phoenix for sixty years, this educator touched countless lives whether through his role as a math teacher, tutor, or church member. During retirement he and his wife Lola, continued to serve at Sun Valley Community Church in various roles. Additionally, Don and Lola savored their continuing roles as parents, grandparents and great-grandparents to every member in their beloved family.

Don was born on July 9, 1933, in Hesston, Kansas, a son of Martin Matthew Hostetler and Esther Brantley Ewy. A genuine country boy, he enjoyed his early years flying model airplanes, fishing at his dad’s pond, providing care for animals, and exhibiting his natural love of playing baseball. Mr. Hostetler attended Bethel High School in Hesston, then enter the United States Air Force upon graduation. After completing a tour of duty in Korea, Don returned home, and completed both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied mathematics and science. He married Lola Faye Decker on August 16, 1957, in Newton, Kansas.

While his brother, Norman Dale Hostetler, and his sister, Velma Arlene Partlow have preceded Don in death, he leaves his wife, Lola, and three children, Candice, Marcia, and Patrick, and their respective spouses, Tim, Dave, and Marla. Additionally, he leaves a legacy of eight grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

A private internment in late September at The Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery, Chandler, Arizona, will be followed on October 8, 2023, with a celebration of life at Sun Valley Community Church, 6101 South River Drive, Tempe, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s name may be gifted to All Kids Need Music, an IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit organization espousing a mission to champion children who have endured trauma through instrumental music instruction. They may be found at https://allkidsneedmusic.academy.