Coroner: Billy Ed died of natural causes before the wreck

Friday, August 7, 2009
By Nick Schneider, Assistant Editor

Autopsy results show that well-known retired minister Billy Ed Hostettler, of rural Bloomfield, died of natural causes prior to the two-vehicle crash Wednesday afternoon on State Road 45 in Monroe County.

Monroe Įounty Coroner Nicole Meyer said a preliminary post mortem examination indicates the 82-year-old Hostettler died of a coronary event before the head-on collision about 1:13 p.m. on Wednesday.

"It appears that there probably was some natural event before the accident. He had a history of cardiac issues so right now we think he probably had a heart attack before the accident occurred," Meyer told the Greene County Daily World on Friday morning.

She said the veteran minister, who worked part-time as an associate chaplain at Bloomington Hospital and chaplain for the Greene County Hospice program, didn't sustain any life-threatening injuries in the crash.

The coroner said it will be a few weeks before complete toxicology results are available.

Hostettler, driving a 2006 Honda Accord, was traveling westbound and veered left of center and struck a 2000 Kia Sportage head-on, driven by Wanda Deckard, 71, of Solsberry, according to Monroe County Sheriff Department Lt. David Goodrich.

Hostettler died at the scene of the accident, located west of Breeden Road, about one-fourth of a mile from the Greene County line, according to the police report.

Lt. Goodrich said there were no skid marks leading up to the impact spot, which was off of the paved roadway on the shoulder.

Deckard suffered multiple internal injuries -- lower leg injuries, multiple fractures to the hip and lower legs and possible lung injuries.

She was initially treated at Bloomington Hospital and then transferred to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Decker was listed in serious condition on Friday, according to Gene Ford, senior media relations specialist for Clarian Health.

Funeral service for Hostettler will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the First Christian Church in Bloomfield with the Rev. John Matsel, the Rev. David Wilde, the Rev. Arlen Pope, the Rev. Rob Martindale, and George Ockerman officiating.

Interment will follow in Scotland Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by Bloomfield American Legion Post 196.

Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. today and from noon until the hour of service Sunday at the Bloomfield First Christian Church.

The family asks that all memorial contributions may be made to the Scotland Cemetery.

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Billy Ed was a wonderful man, he will be greatly missed. If you meet one Godly man like him in your lifetime, you are lucky. He will always be remembered.

-- Posted by bloomfieldfan on Fri, Aug 7, 2009, at 10:19 PM

like so many others he will be missed.iam very forgunate to know him as i was growing up and threw my life and to know his family.god bless you all.

-- Posted by rdf on Sat, Aug 8, 2009, at 2:28 AM