WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Janet Darlene Hochstetler passed away, Monday, February 26, 2024 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis, a day after celebrating her 80th birthday with family.
She was born February 25, 1944 at 10:30 am at Goshen Hospital to Lyle L. and Kizzie “Lavonne” (Smetzer) Rohrer. She was a graduate of Goshen High School. On June 9, 1962 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Goshen, she married Robert “Bob” Lee Hochstetler of Ligonier, Indiana. They were married for 48 years before he passed away in 2010 from prostate cancer. They shared a love of travel, visiting many locations around the US, Canada, and Germany. They settled in Constantine, where they raised three daughters LeAnne (Wayne) Yoder of Howe, Lisa Yoder of Middlebury, and Lori Hochstetler of LaGrange. While raising her three young girls, Darlene attended Glen Oaks Community College and graduated with an LPN degree.
Darlene leaves behind her best friend of 55 years Barb (Dan) Bloom, 10 grandchildren Jolene (Stan) Bontrager, Rosena (Cressel) Smith, Justin (Charla) Yoder, Rachel Yoder, Jason (Alyssa) Yoder, Rebecca Yoder, Jenny (Ronnee) Moore, Derek (Lynne) Stephens, Audrey Stephens, 13 great grandchildren, two brothers Leroy “Butch” Rohrer and Philip (Deborah) Rohrer. She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband, a brother Peter Rohrer, son-in-law Ron Yoder and two granddaughters Jamie Hobbs and Kelly Stephens.
You could always find Darlene sitting at the head of the dining room table with a Solitaire game going, a cigarette in her hand, a cup of coffee at her side, and Murder She Wrote playing on the TV. She also enjoyed quilting, playing word search, and solving cross word puzzles. She also had a great love for her
three cats Callie, Sissy, and BC who all proceeded her in death.
Due to Darlene’s advanced Alzheimer’s, in February 2023, she moved in with her daughter LeAnne. She enjoyed sitting on the porch watching the farm animals, petting the dogs, or holding the cats. In October she moved into Thurston Woods Village: Willowbrook in Sturgis, where she met new friends and had amazing caretakers. On February 16, 2024, she was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The staff at Willowbrook continued to provide amazing care until she passed.
Per Darlene’s wishes there will be no memorial or funeral service. After cremation, she will be buried alongside her husband at Constantine Township Cemetery.
To sign Darlene’s online guest book and leave a message for the family visit www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
