Donald R. Hochstetler
June 13, 1935 ~ June 7, 2014
Donald R. Hochstetler, 78, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2014, due to congestive heart failure. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Cremation rites have been accorded. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Carol; son, Ron (Vickii), daughters, Cindy (David) McCreedy, and Lori (Bill) Meyer; nine grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren. Don was born June 13, 1935, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Glen and Opal (Butterbaugh) Hochstetler. He and his family were in the cemetery business for 54 years. Don loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed, but not forgotten. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Betty Calkins; and brother, Sherman. Memorials are suggested to the family.
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We are so very sorry for your loss.
Every time we see a bottle of Brandy we will think of you and how much you liked it:) You were always fun to be around and had a smile on your face:)You will be greatly missed Don:)
MY CONDOLENCES to the family of Don.
I will always remember Don for his nice attire when working for Two Star at all our fancy clubs. He was just perfect for the job, and the good old conversations at the office. You are all in my thoughts and prayers
My heart goes out to all of you He will be missed by everyone. Hope there is a large coffee maker up there with all the coffee drinkers Don will join. Prayers go with his family and friends
We are very saddened to hear of your recent loss and would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family
Uncle Don you will be greatly missed. You have always had a special place in my heart. Aunt Carol we are thinking. Hugs and prayers.
Don was such a pleasure to talk to. He had so much spunk and always made me smile. He was such a hard worker but the one thing I know that he was most proud of was all his years of marriage to Carol. He beamed with love when he spoke of their lives together. A great man indeed and will be missed by many. Please find comfort in knowing that Don has “graduated” to heaven and is at peace. Love, Lisa
We read of your loss and so sorry for your family. Still wish that you were around to call for digging at the Walker cemetery.
I am still here in charge. Hope that you are getting along okay.
Lori,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. DONNY WAS A NICE KID.
Carol-
I can’t even imagine the ruckus Don and Dad are creating up in Heaven right now. Don will definitley be missed!
I’m Lane the Runner. I ran by Don’s house for many years from Spring till Fall. Don would always yell encouraging words at me every time I ran by if he was sitting on his deck. I will miss seeing him sitting there and those encouraging words.
I first met Don at the rehearsal dinner for the wedding of Cindy to my son, David, many years ago. Also, a few times early-on at family dinners. We had several conversations at those times, and I was pleased to find that Don and I shared the same values, of an honest hard day`s work, and the importance of family. He was easy to talk to, and pleasant to share time with.
Now, the years have whizzed by, and we share the same adult grandchildren, Jesse and Ashley, with Jesse having been married just a few weeks ago.
I was surprised and saddened when I read of Don`s passing recently. I know that you all have much sorrow now, but God will be with you, and your loss will gradually be easier to accept as time goes by.
i wish to extend my sympathy to all of you, and please accept my condolences. May God bless us all.
Bill McCreedy
I have to say, I could have never asked for a better father-in-law. We teased each other, joked with each other, sat and had our little chats about nothing in particular. You showed me pictures of your ‘toys’, pictures when you were groing up and, when you and Carol were young. Enjoyed every minute.
When I met your daughter, she changed my life. we had so much in common and, she was so down to earth. the day we told you and Mom we were planning to get married, I saw a smile on your face, and a weight lifted from your shoulders.
On our wedding day, you and Mom both were beaming like I had never seen before. the two of you smiled all day and on to the evening. One of your concerns was that, Lori would be alone the rest of her life. I want you to know, it was my honor to marry your daughter….my privilege to put that thought out of your mind.
That day, you sat with my Dad, next to a shade tree and had a beer with
him. you didn’t finish it but, I saw the smile on your face and, the relief in your actions. I told you then, I’ll say it again…..I will take good care of your ‘baby’, she means the world to you, as she does me.
You worked hard all your life, then, unfortunately, you took ill. it was a big change in your life Dad, I could see the hurt and disappointment in your eyes. The doctors gave you a second chance, no matter how short or long that chance would be, you fought to get back home. From that day forward, I remember those words….I want to go home.
I pushed you to get where you wanted to be, sometimes probably to hard. You had an agreement with my Dad, when you were well enough, the two of you were to walk up to Dairy Queen for ice cream. when we thought you were close to making that walk, you got sick again.
Each time in the hospital, you wanted to go home. I tried so hard to keep you going, even when you said you were done. As hard as it was for you, you gathered up the strength and, helped me, help you. We never got a chance to sit and have a drink together, we did, however, have some good times.
On that fateful day, God to you to a better place. You put up a valiant fight, even through the pain and, being tired. All I could think of at that moment was the words I heard all to often. Your in a better place now, I ask just two things of you…..First, rest we’ll young man…second..tell my Mom I say hi and you two take care of each other.
Oh yes, one more thing….after your celebration of life, rest assured….you WILL be going home….
Love You Dad,
C-Ya
Bill
sorry for not making it today but I was booked at the shop.All my love to you and your family.