'Just blown away:' Friends, family, strangers join to support Reed Hostetler family
Hostetler, 31, died March 5 after the tractor he was operating overturned into a manure pit at his family's dairy farm on Fulton Road near Marshallville.
His wife, Abby Hostetler, said the response from friends, family and even strangers has been 'mind-boggling.'
'We are just blown away by the way people rallied around us,' she said. 'We had people clearing the driveway, cleaning the barn, bringing food and even folding laundry. The Wayne County agricultural community showed up in ways we never expected. We had a line of tractors parked as a tribute to Reed, and that just meant so much. There were many people who showed up to help care for the farm and the animals.'
More: Hostetler takes long hike before heading back to farm
Following the accident, a family friend created a GoFundMe campaign to assist the Hostetlers.
Abby Hostetler said there was no initial financial goal, but donations have far exceeded anything she imagined.
'My friend asked if he could set it up because people wanted to help, and I said sure,' she said. 'It has just grown exponentially. Someone told me it's a blessing to see that the way Reed lived his life is still making sure his kids are provided for, even in his death.'
The funds will help support Abby Hostetler and the couple's three children, Baer, Claire and Axe.
Reed Hostetler's funeral was held in the barn where he grew up, worked and later married his wife.
The decision to hold services there felt natural, Abby Hostetler said, but it required extensive preparation.
'This is a working dairy farm, so a lot had to be done to accommodate people,' she said. 'We didn't even realize everything that was happening behind the scenes. Someone brought in portable restrooms, something I didn't even think of. Others handled parking, and the sheriff's department helped with traffic. It was truly a community effort.'
The outpouring of support has reinforced the Hostetler family's commitment to helping others when the need arises.
'It really makes me know that in the future, when somebody else in our community needs help, I will show up,' Abby Hostetler said.
While still processing their loss, the Hostetlers already are thinking about how to prevent similar tragedies.
Abby Hostelter hopes their experience encourages farmers to take a closer look at safety practices.
'We can't say for sure what happened, but I do know that Reed was very safety-conscious, and still, something happened,' she said. 'I want to make sure that everyone in the farming and agricultural community takes a step back and evaluates their farm and processes to ensure they're as safe as possible.'
For now, the family is taking things day by day and finding strength in the kindness of those around them.
'The amount of love and support we've received is overwhelming,' Abby Hostetler said. 'We keep saying thank you doesn't feel like enough, but it's all we have to give right now.'
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Marshallville area supports Reed Hostetler family after tragic loss
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