Richard "Rick" Hostetter

Richard “Rick” Hostetter, 75, passed away on December 28, 2025, at Nottingham Village in Northumberland, PA.

Rick was born on November 16, 1950, in Pottsville, PA. He was a 1968 graduate of Pottsville Area High School where he participated in the band. He attended Penn State University where he was in the Blue Band until he joined the PA National Guard. Rick loved telling people about how he assisted with the Guard in Johnstown after devastating floods occurred there in the wake of Hurricane Agnes. Rick went on to work for the majority of his career for Nabisco where he climbed the corporate ladder. He went back to school, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business from Alvernia College in 1993. He answered God’s call to ministry in the early 2000s and graduated with a Masters of Divinity from Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown. From there, he became ordained as an elder in the United Methodist Church. Rick’s faith was very important to him, and it sustained him through the challenges of his life, including his battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Rick married his devoted wife, Carol, on September 16, 1972. He enjoyed celebrating their 50th  wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends at the Cat’s Meow restaurant in Manheim in 2022. His grandchildren, Gabe and Sophia of Middleburg, were his shining stars. He looked forward to family meals with them, especially out at restaurants, where he was known to order several appetizers at a time because he believed all special occasions called for all the appetizers! Music was a major part of Rick’s life. He played guitar and baritone. He was an avid reader of history and theological texts.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, daughter Tara wife of Justin Dively, grandchildren Gabe and Sophia, and his brother Bob of Pottsville. He was preceded in death by his parents Harry C. Hostetter and Helen Evans (Hostetter) Daubert and brother Harry E. “Chip” Hostetter. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. in Evergreen Cemetery, Sassafras Street, Selinsgrove with Rev. Robert P. Doll officiating.

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