Jay Wendell (Whitey) Hostetler passed away on May 24th at the Red Lake Margaret Cochenour Memorial Hospital at age 93. He is survived by his daughters Shirley (Elam), Sharon (Arthur), Wendy (Jonas), grandchildren Ron (Jennifer), Shari (Darren), Ryan (Nicole), Sarah (Jordan), Katie (Andrew), Justin, and Monika (Christopher),and great grandchildren Michael, Danielle, and Leah. He is also survived by brothers Donald (Annabelle) and Dwight (Shirley) and sisters June and Joyce.

He was pre-deceased by wife Esther Hostetler, his father Ira Hostetler, mother Mary (Hartzler) Hostetler, sisters Berdina Kanagy and Thelma Garber.

He was born in Ohio on a farm, the third child of 7 children. His interest in flying started at a young age and continued throughout his life. In 1958, he moved to Red Lake to work for Northern Light Gospel Mission as a pilot and mechanic. Eight years later, he started the Red Lake Seaplane Service which included maintenance, salvage work and rebuilding airplanes. When he was 85 years old, he sold the business and stopped flying, but continued to restore his own Norseman.

Whitey loved fishing, hunting, boating snowmobiling and travelling as well as visiting his family. He continued with most of these well into his 80's.

A Celebration of Life has been held on Monday June 2, 2014 at the Red Lake Royal Canadian Legion, officiated by Pastor Keith Graber. Donations in his memory may be made to Western Canada Aviation Museum-Restoration Department through Herold Funeral Home, Box 237, Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0.