On March 1, 2016, after 46 plus years of service, Herbert Hottenstein Sr. relinquished the job of sexton for Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church of Eastern Salisbury to his son Donald. Hottenstein will turn 85 May 30.

For the past 36 years, assisted by his wife Mildred, Hottenstein also maintained the church cemetery. Together the Hottensteins created a legacy of service to others. Hottenstein sums up the family’s dedication to the church very simply. In his words, “[The church became] our second home.”

Hottenstein returned from the Korean War in 1954 where he had served as an armored tank driver and senior non-commissioned officer on the tank. Shortly before Christmas 1955, he met Mildred. They married Feb. 26, 1956.

Initially, Hottenstein was employed by the Morris Black Company. He later changed jobs and eventually retired after 20 years as a Salisbury Township public works employee.

Together with Mildred, who grew up in the house adjacent to the church, Hottenstein expanded his activities to include caring for the church structure and grounds. Both also served on the church council, and for many years, Mildred was the council treasurer.

As the Hottensteins’ church involvement grew, so did their family. They raised five children and fostered 20 youngsters from the Topton Home until their adoptions were finalized. Mildred also babysat for approximately 22 local children.

A devoted couple, the Hottensteins celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their marriage vows. Even though Mildred passed away in March of 2016, the love and integrity embodied by the couple has been passed down to their children.

On snowy mornings, Hottenstein would often arrive at the church prepared to shovel the walks only to find his eldest son, Herbert Hottenstein Jr., and his children hard at work. He grins as he remembers the shared labor followed by impromptu family breakfasts.

In addition, Hottenstein and his son Donald have donated gallons of blood to the Miller Memorial Blood Center. Until Hottenstein suffered an illness that forced him to discontinue donating, they jokingly competed to determine who could give the most blood.

In recognition of his dedication and service, the Jerusalem Church congregation has presented Hottenstein with a framed and signed picture of the church and a memorial marker to be placed at the foot of the tree he and Mildred planted on church grounds.

Just as the Hottensteins’ contributions of time and effort sustained the structure and grounds of the Jerusalem Church, their decency and devotion to family inspired others.

As Hottenstein’s long time friend, David Yemm states, “He [Hottenstein] has been the heart and soul of this church for a long time.”