Daniel "Dan" Jerome Hostler

Daniel J. Hostler, 78, of Grand Island died Thursday, November 24, 3016, at Wedgewood Care Center in Grand Island. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 30, 2016 at St. Leos Catholic Church with Rev. Donald Buhrman as celebrant. Burial will be in the Grand Island Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday at St. Leos Catholic Church concluding with a parish rosary service at 7:00 P.M. Apfel Funeral Home is serving the family.

Daniel Jerome Hostler was born July 21, 1938, at Grand Island to Frank and Josephine (Placke) Hostler. He grew up in St. Libory and attended St. Libory Catholic School. He attended Grand Island Senior High where he graduated in 1955. Following his education, he went to Seattle, WA where he worked for Boeing until returning to Grand Island. Dan married Sandra Armstrong on July 25, 1959, at St. Marys Cathedral. The couple made their home in Grand Island where Dan was employed by Hall County as Highway Superintendent, Engineer and Land Surveyor. After retiring from the county, he worked for six years as a courier for St. Francis Medical Center. He truly enjoyed his courier duties, as everyone he met received a hello and a smile. He was a charter member of St. Leos Catholic Church where he performed many duties and served on the parish council. He was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. Dan was a member of the Nebraska Association of County Engineers, Surveyors, and Highway Superintendents. He also belonged to NACO and participated in many meetings. In his retirement, he enjoyed working on antique tractors and was a member of the St. Paul Tractor Club in which he had many friends.

Dan is survived by, his wife, Sandra Hostler of Grand Island; sons, Kenneth Hostler of Seattle, WA and Duane Hostler of Grand Island; daughters, Sharon Hostler of Omaha; Donna Murphy (Dennis Mathiesen) of Omaha; and Debra (Mike) Gatto of Grand Island; brothers, Frank (Sharon) Hostler and Jerry (Debra) Hostler; grandchildren, Anthony Hostler (Clarissa Larson) of Lincoln; Alex Hostler of Norfolk; Andrew Gatto; Aniston Gatto; Angel Castro; Nicolas Hostler; Lydia Hostler; and Charlotte Hostler ; all of Grand Island; and Kayla Long, of Kansas; as well as two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Josephine; mother and father in law, Kenneth and Lydia Armstrong; and a sister in law, Sherry Hostler.