Ray Owen Hochstetler

Ray O. Hochstetler, 87, of Goshen, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2016, at his home after struggling with pulmonary fibrosis the past three years.

He was born July 25, 1929 in Middlebury to J. Ivan and Pearl (Boyer) Hochstetler.

On June 17, 1951 he married Gladys Kistler in Goshen.  She died Aug. 21, 2011.

Survivors include five daughters, Wendy (Darcy) Brandt, Ronda Justice, Paula (Kenny) Miller and Sally (Wayne) Markham, all of Goshen and Donna (Kevin) Strand of Batavia, Illinois; 13 grandchildren, Matt (Krista) Justice, Thad (Shari Hahn) Justice, Jennifer Justice, Lucas Brandt, Emily (Micah) Hicks, Brent (Jenni) Miller, Kelly (Kenny) Johnson, David, John and Rebecca Strand, Rachel (Brett) Hontz, Tosha Markham and Jared (Claire) Markham; 17 great-grandchildren and a sister, Anna Mary Hochstetler of Elkhart.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a sister, Janet Miller; a half sister, Elsie Masterson and a great-granddaughter, Kensi Johnson.

A lifetime Elkhart County resident, Ray was a member of First Brethren Church.

An avid bowler, he was inducted into the Goshen Bowling Hall of Fame in 2014.

For 44 years Ray worked at Yoder Ready Mix/ ARCO Engineering as an asphalt plant operator.  He served as sexton of Violett Cemetery for 12 years and then worked part time for Leatherman Supply for eight years.

Friends may call Sunday, October 9, 2016 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home.  Friends may also call Monday, October 10, from 9:30 until the 11 a.m. funeral service at First Brethren Church, Goshen.  Former pastor John Drexler will officiate.

Burial will follow in Violett Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to First Brethren Church.