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