Trent Alan Hostetler

My dear husband, Pop, son and brother, Trent Alan Hostetler, was born on August 15, 1986, at Hope, Arkansas to Vernon and Lois Hostetler. He was killed in a tragic airplane accident on July 2, 2021, in a Communal Section of Leogane near Port-au-Prince, Haiti at the age of 34. He with his wife and three children were returning from the states after a month-long furlough with family and friends. In his youth he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized on the confession of his faith. He was a faithful member of Lighthouse Chapel of Richland Center, WI at the time of his death. He had been serving as administrator at the Gospel to Haiti Mission near Petit Goave, Haiti since July 2020 when he started a 3-year commitment. The family flew into the Port-au-Prince airport at 6:00 but still had to travel the remaining miles to their Mission Base. With all the recent gang violence in Haiti, all the missionaries going south use planes even though it is only a few hours' drive by car. The first plane going only accommodated 9 persons, allowing room for Trent to travel with his family but not his fellow missionary, John Miller. Rather than leave John behind alone, Trent unselfishly gave up his seat on the first plane to stay back with him. It was agreed that the ladies and children would travel ahead leaving Trent and John to follow on the next plane which was due out in 20 minutes. When the first plane landed the ladies received word that the men were switching planes because of problems but they are coming on another one and should be there soon. After another hour and no plane, they started making calls and discovered there had been a plane crash, but it was not certain if was theirs. Haitian Missionaries Andy Faller, Bryan Beachy, Jess Meyer, Trevor Byers, Dr. Malès Mainviel, Jeannot Sainton, and Luis Menas formed a search crew during the night and continued till the wreckage was found and the bodies recovered. Many grueling and dangerous hours were spent searching in the Haitian mountains that night while at home in the U.S. the family was waiting together, praying and crying out to God, desperately groping for any news. Witnesses later would tell us that their plane came through a long valley appearing to have trouble gaining altitude, then crashing into the side of the mountain. After a long night of waiting, it was confirmed that both John and Trent had died in the plane crash. Trent spent his early boyhood years with his parents and siblings on a chicken and cattle farm near Columbus, AR. Many hours were spent gathering eggs, putting up hay, checking the cows on the fourwheeler and just enjoying life as a young family on the farm. In the spring of 2002, at the age of 16, he with his family moved to a poultry farm near Clarksville, AR. This was an exciting move for Trent, as the farm was located close to Horse Head Lake and the Ozark National Forest, that afforded many hours of hunting and hiking which was a joy to his heart. Not only did he have a love and passion for the great outdoors, but also a skill that brought his younger cousins to him for advice and tutoring and he served as a mentor to many of them. In spite of his deep passion and love for the outdoors, when he agreed to serve in the mission field, he set that passion aside and put his whole heart and life into serving in the Lord's kingdom. Trent was known for putting his whole heart into whatever he did and could always be depended on. We will always remember his excellent marksmanship, good work ethics, and steady dependability. In 2011 he moved to the Muscoda, WI area and on May 12, 2011, married Erica Jo Hostetler, daughter of Eric and Amanda Hostetler. They enjoyed over 10 years of marriage, walking together and with God, through both good times and hard and experiencing many blessings as a couple. Left to cherish fond memories are his wife, Erica; one daughter, Rylie Nicole (8); two sons, Hunter Reed (7), and Cameron Bryce (4). They, as a family, were eagerly anticipating the arrival of another baby girl. He will also be keenly missed by his parents Vernon and Lois; five sisters and two brothers, Konni and husband Dave of Osceola TX; Klara and husband Weston of Clarksville, AR; Gwen and husband Austin of Clarksville, AR; Gayla and husband Eugene Headings of Clarksville, AR; Trisha and husband Blane Hostetler of Windyville, MO; and Eric (20) and Morris (17) of the home. Also, his step grandmother Shirley Mrs. Jacob Kropf of Sedalia MO, eight uncles, five aunts, 2 step uncles and 5 step aunts and a host of cousins and friends. Preceding him in death are his paternal grandparents, Andy and Ruth Hostetler, maternal grandparents Jacob and Darlene Kropf, two uncles Marvin and Kevin, one niece Brandi, and 13 cousins. Only 8 days following his death while family was waiting for body transport, cousins Alex (20) and Layne (15), were suddenly called home in a tragic drowning accident. As the administrator at Gospel to Haiti missions, He fulfilled his calling in a very passionate way. The impact he made in just a year's time on so many people's lives, and the countless hearts he touched while serving his term are a lasting legacy and inspiration to those left behind. Trent & Erica truly demonstrated by their lives that what you believe impacts the way you live. They served the Haitian people and the staff at the mission with love and strength. He enjoyed helping out at the clinic and designed a birthing center that he was in the process of building. He was fondly known as "Boss" to many but was much more than just that. He was their friend and filled the role of a "Dad" to many at the Base. He will be greatly missed by all, but the life he lived and the legacy he left, still lives on in the very hearts and lives he touched. We treasure the memories made on their last trip home to visit family and friends. Little did we know as they left, that as Trent flew on that last flight through the valley at sunset, it was the beginning of his "glory land" flight. Our wish is that God would be glorified, and his kingdom furthered by the life and death of our loved one. The family wishes to thank each one for coming and sharing your kind words, love, prayers, and food during the time of his passing. A special thanks goes to the missionaries who went above and beyond in their recovery efforts after the accident. Also, a heartfelt Thank You to the church at Muscoda for so graciously serving us in many ways during this time of tragedy.

Trent Alan Hostetler

August 15, 1986 - July 2, 2021