The Hometown Treasure November 2012 | Page 16

By Jerry Hostetler Ralph Hostetler was one of eight children born to Samuel S. and Mary Anna Hostetler. He was second to the youngest in his family and he was born in 1912 in a house that still stands just west of Shipshewana on US 20. After attending Shipshewana service in Europe. Ralph wrote to his High School for a number of years, parents upon his arrival overseas: Ralph and his family moved to Dear Folks, Elkhart and Ralph graduated from Docked tonight “somewhere in Elkhart High School in 1931. He England” is as close as I dare come to was a member of Prairie Street our location. It will be a short while Mennonite Church in Elkhart. before we’ll be situated and until then After graduating from high there isn’t much to see or much I can tell school, Ralph worked for a short you, although we had a good crossing time at Elkhart Paint and Wallpaper and I was fortunate enough not to get Company, and then secured a job seasick. with Ford Motor Company in DearWe had opportunity on the trip born, Michigan. to buy candy and all the little things we Ralph entered the service in need and want and I’m all fixed up for a March, 1943. He spent seven months long time. stateside before being called to I’ll write in a day or so and have pg 14 · The Hometown Treasure · November ‘12 my new address, and I’m hoping our mail to the A.P.O. 4925 was forwarded so I’ll hear from you soon. I’ll write v-mail and if you do too, I think it might make a quicker exchange. I’m anxious for news from all of you – it seems like a long time, longer than it actually was, I guess. I’m perfectly safe, well and happy so don’t worry a bit. Tell the others I’ll write as soon as I’ve time. Love, Ralph Due to his Mennonite upbringing, Ralph was assigned and trained to be a combat medic in the United