Charles H. "Chuck" Hostetler

Sadly, we share the death of Charles H. Hostetler, 89 of Lancaster, formerly of Elizabethtown, on August 30, 2026. Chuck was born in Uniontown, PA, where he lived a happy childhood, thriving among relatives and friends. When Chuck was ready to start school, his parents, Charles E. Hostetler and Velma June (Sutton, Hostetler) Tench moved their family to Middletown, PA. A bright but uninvolved student, Chuck was more interested in the "happenings" of the neighborhood, a close-knit community who worked hard, played hard and knew everyone's business. When he had the opportunity to attend Hershey Vocational High School, he jumped at the chance to learn something "hands-on." He did well at machine-shop and drafting. He also excelled in an English class taught by Mr. Mandes, who encouraged his thinking and treated him with respect - and, provided the model when Chuck began thinking about a career.

Going to work after graduation, Chuck began working at a coat factory but soon realized it was not for him. Using his drafting skills, he worked at the PA Department of Highways, where he stayed until enlisting in the Army. Stationed at Fort Leonard Wood Army Base in MO he learned discipline, maturing and absorbing new skills as he excelled as a soldier in the Army Corps of Engineers, several times earning Soldier of the Month awards. But he also remembered the teacher who had said he "had academic potential." So, after his service, he returned to central PA to study simultaneously at Hershey Junior College and Millersville College, graduating in History, Humanities and Education in three years. He also married the late Rebecca (Meyers, Hostetler) Lingle and started a family during this time. He loved teaching History and English at Elizabethtown Area High School but left to pursue further education when he earned a scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned his M.A. He later earned various degrees & certificates from other universities.

Chuck was a teacher first and foremost; he loved developing new strategies and seeing the "aha moment" in the eyes of his students - many of whom remembered him in his later years. As an educator, he taught at EASD, Columbia HS, Elizabethtown College, Penn State (Harrisburg) and provided many professional service classes to teachers when he worked for Northeast Regional Educational Labs. He also worked as Director of Federal Programs, Curriculum Coordinator, Social Studies Chairman and Principal in various school districts.

Chuck was a voracious reader, a daily habit that brought him great joy, reading the masters as well as the latest best-seller. His son Andy, a librarian, had trouble keeping up with providing book recommendations! Chuck was proud that he completed reading the entire text (1143 pgs.) this spring of "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich." He worried that such horror could happen again.

Chuck was also a musician. He played drums in The Hershey Chocolatiers and in the Westshoremen Drum and Bugle Corps. He loved the camaraderie he found there almost as much as the music itself! In later years he enjoyed listening to music, especially modern movie soundtracks, Broadway tunes & soft jazz. Anything from Les Misérables could bring tears to his eyes. He was also a huge fan of the Fulton Theater.

A longtime Blood Donor, he was also a great supporter of all emergency service personnel: EMT, Fire Departments and the Salvation Army. In his retirement, he worked at Nissley Vineyards and enjoyed sharing his oenology with customers. He also mastered several cooking classes at Lancaster CTC so he could have dinner ready for his still-working wife. Volunteering as a "travel aide" at Masonic Village by taking guests on weekly shopping trips brought him much joy and many stories. And, although not an enthusiastic traveler, he could be cajoled into "an adventure with Becky" to an historic or beautiful spot, and he thoroughly enjoyed returning many times to Williamsburg or Cape May.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 43 years, Rebecca (Eisenbise) Hostetler of Lancaster and his son, Andrew of Baltimore. Andy: He loved you so much & was so proud of you! He also leaves Amy Jo Hostetler of Manakin Sabot, VA and Adam Hostetler of Mt. Gretna, both dearly loved and never forgotten.

His wish: Read and support your local library!

Service will be private.