Samuel Hochstetler

KALONA ? Samuel Wayne Hochstetler, 78, of Washington, formerly of Wellman, died Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, in Halcyon House in Washington following a sudden illness.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 14, at the East Union Mennonite Church in rural Kalona with the Rev. Joel Beachy officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. The body will be cremated following visitation, and a private family burial will be held at East Union Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for East Union Mennonite Church.

Mr. Hochstetler was born Nov. 29, 1937, in rural Wellman, the son of Aaron and Mary (Schrock) Hochstetler. He was married to Donna Butler.

He graduated from Iowa Mennonite School and served his 1W Service in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was a certified electrician and worked in that capacity at the University of Iowa for more than 30 years. He was a lifelong member of East Union Mennonite Church, where he served as an usher and was a faithful member of the Berean Sunday School class. He was a member of a BMW Motorcycle Club and the Optimist Club of Washington Township. He enjoyed talking with family and friends, riding his motorcycle, bicycling, traveling, fishing in Canada, being outdoors, and watching Hawkeye football and basketball.

Surviving are two children, Greg Hochstetler and wife Holly of Washington, and Jeannine Leonard and husband Tony of Lander, Wyoming; four grandchildren; one brother, Frank Hochstetler of Kalona; and one sister, Edna Miller and husband Gene of Kalona.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ruby Cutshall, and Gladys Smith; one infant brother; and one sister-in-law, Mary Hochstetler.