Loren Hostetler 89, of Winesburg passed away peacefully at Walbut Hills Rehabilitation Center on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. He was born Aug. 24, 1922 in Trail to the late Homer and Elva (Deetz) Hostetler. He and his wife Mary have shared 66 years of marriage after attending grade school together at Trail School and high school at Walnut Creek. After serving in the Navy, he earned a Master's degree from Kent State and began teaching Industrial Arts at Canton McKinley High School. He then taught at Stow and Hiland High Sshools. He moved his family to Knoxville for a year where he earned a Master's degree in mathematics from the University of Tennessee in 1964. He returned to teach math at Fairless High School and finished his career there as High School principal. He was a lifetime farmer as he balanced farming with his professional career. He retired in 1976 to travel and began his next career as a full-time farmer. In 1988 he began his next chapter to restore Farmall tractors. Beginning with the seven Farmall's from his farm, he eventually completed over 70 restorations representing nearly every model of Farmall tractors. He enjoyed showing his tractors to visitors from around the world. In addition to his wife, the former Mary Miller, he is survived by his two children, Sharon (Jim) Gertz and Tim (Jean) Hostetler both of Winesburg. Loren and Mary enjoyed spending time with family particularly their five grandchildren, Chris (Krisi) Gertz of Winesburg, Jason (Jenn) Hostetler of Canton, Erin (Kevin) Bille of Macedonia, Erica (Matt) Murdoch of Canal
Winchester, Nick (Christina) Hostetler of Winesburg; nine great-grandchildren, Mia, Paige, Camden, Samantha, Bodie, Alexandra, Grant, Addison, Kamryn and his brother Arlen (Shirley) Hostetler of Sugarcreek. Loren was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother Lyle and two sons Craig and Eric. Services will be held on Saturday, Aug 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Smith-Varns Funeral Home 1018 W. Main St. Sugarcreek with Rev. Wally Scofield officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery at Winesburg where Military graveside servies will be conducted. Friends may call on Friday 5-8 p.m. at Smith-Varns Funderal Home. In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made in Loren's name to the Hiland Academic Booster Club, PO Box 275, Berlin, Ohio 44610. For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register.

The Repository/August 1, 2012