Donald Lee Hottenstein

Donald Lee Hottenstein, age 66, formerly of Mildred, PA, passed away Tuesday morning, January 30, 2024, at the Athens Health & Rehabilitation Center. 

 

Donnie was born on February 5, 1957, in Sayre, PA, a son of the late William Vincent and Marlene Florence Shaffer Hottenstein. He grew up outside of Overton where his parents ran the Hottenstein General Store and the family dairy farm. He graduated from Sullivan County High School a member of the class of 1975. After graduation he furthered his education at Williamsport Area Community College, where he graduated in 1977 with his Associates Degree in carpentry.

 

In his early years he worked in construction and carpentry and then became partners with Mark Serafini, where they owned and operated the former B&C Lumber and the Ber-Mil Apartments both in Mildred. He also worked at GTE Sylvania now known as GTP for over 20 years. He took over ownership of Hottenstein Busing from his father Bill, and drove and operated school buses for Sullivan County School District for over 40 years until passing on the business to his daughter Allie in November of 2022. He also took ownership of Sharaton Bus Services and ran that business in previous years. 

 

His passion was driving school bus and shuttles. Whether getting kids to school or shuttling people to their airports and destinations he was always on the road which lead him to know all the best places to eat and what exits to get off for gas. He really enjoyed NASCAR, and always looked forward to attending the Daytona 500 with his father, and then later sharing that passion with his children and grandchildren. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend and will be most remembered for his nickname of Egghead and giving nicknames to all he knew and also for his big beautiful blue eyes.  

 

Surviving:

Son and daughter-in-law:

Eric Hottenstein and Mariah Fitzgerald                         Dushore, PA 

 

Daughter and son-in-law:

Allie and Patrick McDonald                                          Dushore, PA

 

Nine grandchildren:

Molly McDonald

Jase McDonald 

Kira Hottenstein

Peyton Hottenstein

Luke Hottenstein

Jake Hottenstein

Bryon Fitzgerald

Blaze Fitzgerald

Brayden Fitzgerald

 

Two brothers and sisters-in-law:

Dennis W. and Marie Hottenstein                                  New Albany, PA 

David E. and June Hottenstein                                       New Albany, PA 
 

Two sisters:
 Fay M. Crofut                                                                Shunk, PA

Dawn R. Kilgus                                                             Dushore, PA 
 

He is also survived by two aunts and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

 

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers-in-law: Peter M. Kilgus on April 23, 2010, and Darwin R. Crofut on October 5, 2022.  

 

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 12:00 PM in the Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA, with the Rev. Ronald L. Dyer officiating. 

 

Friends and family may call at the Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA, on Saturday morning, February 3, 2024, from 10:00 AM until the start of the service at noon.

 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kiwanis Club of Sullivan County, PO Box 57, Hillsgrove, PA 18619.

 

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water St., Dushore, PA 18614  

 

To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com.