James Donald Hostelley Sr., had strong work ethic
James Donald Hostelley Sr., 71 of Millsboro, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Monday, July 18, 2016, at 11:42 a.m.., succumbing to his fourth brain tumor.
For the last 11 years he fought hard while enduring blindness, partial deafness and breathing through a trach. Jim was a very loving and devoted son, husband, brother, father, grandfather an great-grandfather and friend. He was a “man’s man.” He was the beloved son of Paul R. Hostelley Sr. and Charlotte Mitchell Hostelley of Whiting, N.J. Jim was born March 4, 1945, in Lansdale, Pa., but grew up in Old Tappan, N.J. He graduated from Northern Valley High School, Old Tappan, in 1963, and went to college at Fairleigh Dickenson University, Teaneck, N.J. After high school, Jim joined the U.S. Army and graduated from Officer Training School. He then went on to serve as second lieutenant at Fort Dix, N.J., where he fought in the Jersey riots of the ‘60s and Fort Knox, Ky. Later he served in the National Guard for nine years.
Many people over the years would comment on Jim being the smartest man they ever met. As a young man, he began doing the work nobody else wanted to do, soon to rise up through the ranks and become vice president of the corporation. His work ethic, which he instilled in his five children, “arrive early, do your work with excellence, and leave later than expected,” brought him great success in his career of purchasing and later selling polypropylene, the plastic wrap that goes over food items. He later became the national accounts manager for Mobile Oil and afterwards started his own packaging business. He conducted business on a handshake believing, “your word was your bond.”
After moving to Delaware 25 years ago, Jim was not happy with the car services offered in the area, so he studied garages throughout the state and came home with a game plan. It was then his wife Linda shared with him how it was for a woman to go into these “dirty, greasy places, with no place to sit, to be spoken down to by mechanics, and being taken advantage of financially.” With all this input, In and Out Car Care of Millsboro was birthed in 1995.
In his spare time Jim enjoyed deep sea fishing for northern pike up in the Thousand islands in upstate, New York, bass fishing, creating family videos, playing bridge tournaments, coaching his two sons, Louie and Jimmy Jr. from Pop Warner all the way through junior to senior varsity football. He loved to travel with the love of his life, his wife of 35 years, his “Lynee.” Combining vacations of relaxation and ministry, “the Lord gave us the privilege to minister in 38 different countries, most of them being in the Caribbean. Those were some of the most exciting times of our lives.” Jim helped many people locally and was a confidante to many pastors.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Charlotte Hostelley; and his aunt and uncle Donald and Hannibel Hoffman. He is survived by his loving wife an; caregiver, Linda Padilla Miller Hostelley, his five children; Charlene Vernol (Matt) of Kingston, N.Y., Janean Pelton (Dean) of Middletown, N.Y., pastor/missionary Eric Miller (Casey) of Davao, Philippines, Dr. Louis Miller (Michelle) of Virginia Beach, Va., James Hostelley Jr. (Kelly) of Annapolis, Md., and a boy who grew up in their home, Jesse Decker of West Virginia; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul Hostelley Jr. (Linda); mother-in-law Lucy Padilla of Accord, N.Y.; uncle Hector de Jesus of New York City; three sisters and brothers-in-laws; many nieces, nephews and his devoted dog Sashi.
The family will receive friends at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, for Jim’s viewing, Tuesday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. His service will begin at 1 p.m., officiated by his good friend Pastor Chuck Reynolds. Eulogy will be given by Dr. Louis Miller, his son and Linda C. Hostelley, his wife, concluded by Pastor Reynolds. Military Honors will be performed at the funeral home. Private burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Millsboro.
Letters of condolence may be emailed via www.watsonfh.com.
