Charles F. Hostetler, age 89, of New Castle, died Tuesday, April 25, 2023. He was born in rural Howard County (Indiana) on April 22, 1934 to Charles J. and Mary Etta (Little) Hostetler.
Charlie was a 1952 graduate of Kokomo High School. He was a birthright Quaker and in 1966 was recognized as a recorded minister in the Society of Friends (Quaker). In the 1960s he pastored churches in Hutsonville, IL, Danville, IL and Hortonville, IN.
In 1970 Charlie graduated from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science, where he served as class president. As a funeral director he served families in Anderson, Daleville and Middletown. In 1975 he moved his family to New Castle and shortly thereafter became owner of Couden-Hostetler Funeral Home on South 14th St. — retiring in 1999.
Charlie served on the boards of several local clubs and service organizations. Among the many projects in which he was instrumental included the installation of the “Welcome to New Castle” sign in Your Park and the monument benches at South…