James P. Hostetler, 83, of West Liberty Ohio, passed away Friday afternoon, April 8, 2011 at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, Ohio. Jim was born in rural West Liberty June 9, 1927, to the late Mervin A. and Ruth Troyer Hostetler. 

He married Sue Rupert February 13, 1949 in West Liberty who survives.

Jim was the former owner/operator of Hostetler Auto Service, and a fire fighter with the West Liberty Fire Department where he was the Fire Chief for twenty six years before retiring in 1999, after serving over fifty years. He was a State Certified Fire Training Instructor and Past-President of the Logan County Fire Fighters Association.

Jim was honored in 2009 as an inductee in the Mac-O-Chee Quarter Midget Hall of Fame and in 2010, he was presented with a Community Service Award from the Grand Lodge of Ohio Free & Accepted Masons. He was active in the Miami Valley Steam Threshers Association, Gideons and a life-member of the Lions Club. Jim was a member of the West Liberty Presbyterian Church where he served many years as a Sunday School teacher, an Elder and Clerk. He was also active in the Epiphany Prison Ministry and Emmaus. He was a great Dad and loved West Liberty.

In addition to his wife Sue Hostetler, Jim is survived by his children Nick Hostetler of West Liberty, Jill (Randy) Boyd of Anna, Ohio, and Jayne (Robert �Grif�) Griffith of West Liberty; eight grandsons, Scott Hostetler, Matt Hostetler, Andy Boyd, Adam Boyd, Nathan Boyd, Gabe Griffith, Alan Griffith, and Ben Griffith; ninteen great grandchildren; siblings Joy (John C.) Plank of West Liberty, Joan (Jim) Sine of Zanesfield, Ohio, and Bill (Lynn) Hostetler of West Liberty and a sister-in-law, Shirley Hostetler of West Liberty; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by a son Todd and a brother Bud Hostetler. 

The funeral service will held Wednesday, April 13, 2011, at the West Liberty Presbyterian Church at 11:00 A.M. with Reverend Angie Schenck officiating. interment will follow the funeral service in the Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty. Calling hours will be held Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at the West Liberty Fire Department from 2 to 4 P.M. and 6 to 8 P.M.

Memorial contributions may be made to the West Liberty Fire Department  210 N. Detroit St.  West Liberty, OH 43357 or to the West Liberty Presbyterian Church  215 W. Columbus St.  West Liberty, OH 43357 or to the West Liberty Lions Club  PO Box 686  West Liberty, OH 43357

The funeral arrangements were handled by the staff at the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty.