Julie M. (Mader) Hostetter

Julie M. (Mader) Hostetter, 66, of Bridgewater, VA died peacefully at home with family at her side on Sunday, November 12, 2017. She was born March 31, 1951 to the late Claude and Shirley (Hummer) Mader. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Michael L. Hostetter.

Julie graduated from Palmyra High School, class of 1969. She continued her education at Lebanon Valley College receiving a B.S. in music education. She earned an M. Div. at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH, and a D. Min. at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA. From the age of 15, she served as a church organist. Her career included church musician, public school music teacher, private music instructor and pre-school teacher. Julie pastored several congregations, was an ecumenical executive, denominational staff, and seminary administrator. Most recently, she was the Executive Director of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership at Bethany Theological Seminary. In all things she was an educator. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

In addition to her husband she is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth (Kate) Hostetter and husband Rick Thompson of TN, and Abigail Hostetter and fiancé Joel Parker of VA; two grandchildren, Laurel and Joanna Thompson Hostetter; and a sister Kathy Mader of Mechanicsburg, PA. 

After a private burial, a memorial service will be held at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren, Bridgewater, VA on December 2 at 11am. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Rothermel-Finkbinder Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 25 W. Pine St., Palmyra, PA 17078. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.FinkbinderFamily.com.  

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, 615 National Rd. West, Richmond, IN 47374. 

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