Nappanee, Indiana - Ernest R. Hochstetler of Nappanee, age 85 years, 11 months, 4 days, died at 2:10 a.m. on Monday morning, Nov. 17, at his residence.

He was born on Dec. 13, 1939 in Elkhart, to Rudy J. and Anna (Borkholder) Hochstetler.

On Oct. 6, 1960, Ernest married Mary E. Chupp in Nappanee. She preceded him in death on July 28, 2023.

Ernest lived his entire life in the Nappanee area; and was a member of the Old Order Amish Church.

Ernest is survived by 2 sons, Ray (Leona Miller) Hochstetler, Nappanee, and Michael (Linda Mast) Hochstetler, Nappanee; 7 daughters, Lorraine (Mark) Stutzman, Nappanee, Sharon (Allen) Borkholder, Bremen, Linda (Frederick) Miller, Bremen, Diana (Eddie Ray) Borkholder, Bremen, Vonda (Daryl) Yoder, Bremen, Regina (Larry) Chupp, Bremen, Amy (Virgil) Yoder, Nappanee; daughter-in-law, Etta (Schwartz) Hochstetler, Nappanee; 54 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, LeRoy Hochstetler of Milford, and Larry (Freda) Hochstetler of New Paris; 2 sisters, Freida (Robert) Schmucker of Milford, and Verba (Joe) Bontrager of Nappanee; and a sister-in-law, Elsie (Lapp) Hochstetler of New Paris.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents; wife; son, Steven Joe Hochstetler; brother, William Hochstetler; and a sister, Sylvia Hostetler.

Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, and all day Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 at the family residence, 955 Baltimore Ave, Nappanee, Indiana 46550.

A funeral service will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, Nov. 20, also at the family residence. Bishop Howard Schwartz and Home Ministries of the Old Order Amish Church will officiate.

Burial will take place in Weldy Cemetery, Nappanee.

Arrangements are with Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee.