Services were held Saturday, Feb. 6, at First United Methodist Church in Grand Junction for Dean R. Hoskinson, 93, of Jefferson, formerly of Grand Junction.
Words of comfort were offered by the Rev Steve Ransom, pastor of the church. Brenda Roberts was soloist, accompanied by Danille Curtis. Honorary bearers were Julie Shedlock, Angela Chesler, and Dean’s 23 great-grandchildren.
Casket bearers were Scott Hoskinson, Matt Hoskinson, Mark Hoskinson, Rodney Hoskinson, Sean Chesler, David Ostrander, Philip Hoskinson, Doug Jacobs and Darin Jacobs. Interment was at the Junction Township Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Army National Guard honor guard.
The family was assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home of Jefferson.
Dean Robert Hoskinson, son of Archie and Vera (Blanshan) Hoskinson, was born June 23, 1922 at the farmstead northwest of Grand Junction. He attended school in Grand Junction, graduating with the class of 1940.
After graduation, Dean drove school buses for the Grand Junction School and worked at Teagarden Chevrolet and John Deere businesses as a mechanic.
On Dec. 24, 1945, Dean married Doris Davis at the First Baptist Church in Grand Junction in a double ceremony with his brother Leon Hoskinson and Marilynn Parker. Dean and Doris were married for 63 years. They were the proud parents of Dennis, Diane, Darwin and Denise.
Dean was inducted into the United States Army on April 1, 1946. After basic training, he boarded a ship going to the Philippines; it took 21 days to arrive. While there, his first child, a son, was born. Dean was honorably discharged on Oct. 3, 1947 and was excited to come home to his wife and meet his baby boy Dennis.
Dean started his farming career as a hired hand for Douglas Wessling. He later farmed with his dad Archie, and brother Leon. In 1956, the family moved to a farm southeast of Dana and in 1962 they moved to a farm east of Grand Junction.
Dean and Doris always worked side by side, each having their own John Deere tractor. Dean loved his life on the farm, working hard, but always having time for ballgames, croquet, and horseshoes with the kids.
Dean worked many years for the Slininger Funeral Home and was also a board member for the Grand Junction Housing. He could always be found at a garage sale and would always ask if they would take a lower price. His garage was proof he went to a lot of garage sales!
The last three years of his life were spent at Greene County Medical Center, long term care. There he died Feb. 1, 2016 at the age of 93 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Doris, who died Nov. 18, 2009, brothers Emery and Leon, and sister Zola Wilson.
Dean is survived by his children Dennis Hoskinson and wife Chris of Big Lake, AK; Diane Ostrander and husband Dennis of Jefferson; Darwin Hoskinson and wife Kathy of Perry; Denise Jacobs and husband Dennis “Jake” of Grand Junction; grandchildren Angela Chesler and husband Sean of State Center, David Ostrander and wife Kris of Jefferson, Matt Hoskinson and wife Nicole of Cherokee, Mark Hoskinson and wife Kris of Cedar Falls, Doug Jacobs and Darin Jacobs and wife Lindsay, all of Grand Junction, Rodney Hoskinson, Scott Hoskinson and wife Stacey, Julie Shedlock and husband Brent, all of Alaska, and Philip Hoskinson and wife Heather of Dallas TX; 23 great-grandchildren; brothers Wayne Hoskinson of Tucson, AZ, and Keith (Paula) Hoskinson of Grand Junction; sister Virginia Rohden and husband Archie of Des Moines; and other relatives and friends.
