Eli E. Hostetler

Rock Creek - Eli E. Hostetler, 76, of Rock Creek, Ohio died tragically in a four-wheeler accident in his woods on Wednesday afternoon, October 30th. The love of his life, his wife of 50 years was by his side when he passed. Eli was born on May 7, 1948 to Eli J. and Fannie (Miller) Hostetler in Windsor Township Ohio. He attended Grand Valley Schools, and worked for 37 years at Kennametal in Orwell until his retirement in 2010. For the past 14 summers, he mowed the 35-acre park in Orwell, where he took great pride in keeping the park in immaculate condition. Eli loved woodworking, mowing lawn, feeding the birds, taking care of his home and property, and he especially loved sports. He coached football for many years at Jefferson Junior-Senior High School, and many of his athletes have fond memories of him. Many people will remember Eli as the clock and scoreboard operator for Jefferson Falcon football, volleyball, and basketball games for almost 30 years. As anyone who knows Eli can tell you, he was also a huge Browns, Guardians, Cavs and Buckeyes fan. But most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter Adeline. Eli is survived by his wife Mary (nee Sieckowski), his daughter Annie (Laura), his granddaughter Adeline, as well as grandchildren of his heart Alec Hengsteler and Grace Hengsteler. He also leaves behind sisters Fannie Wolf (Howard deceased) and Laura Fisher (Henry deceased); brothers Lester (Sara Ann deceased), Joe (Dora deceased), Albert (Katie Ann), Marvin (Mary), and Robert (Bessie), as well as sisters-in-law Marie Hostetler and Dawn Bleau. He also leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Eli had a special way with children which endeared him in their hearts, and they will never forget their beloved Uncle Eli. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Martha Hostetler and Mary Bernardi, and his brothers Mahlon and Mervin. A funeral service officiated by Rev. Kevin McCaffrey and Rev. Kenneth Chalker will be held at St. Mary Church, 103 N. Maple Street, Orwell, Ohio 44076 on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., burial will follow at Rock Creek Union Cemetery. Visitation will take place at the Paine Funeral Home, Inc., 140 E. Main Street, Orwell, OH 44076 on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Please make memorial contributions to Mary Hostetler. These donations will be used to establish the Eli Hostetler Memorial Scholarship Fund at Jefferson Area High School. The scholarship will be awarded to a student who is entering a trade school or a vocational training program. Condolence may be made at painefuneralhome.com
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Eli E. Hostetler, please visit our floral store.