Donna May Hochstetler

Donna May Hochstetler died on July 13, 2021 in Virginia Beach. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 37 years, Alan Ray Hochstetler. Mrs. Hochstetler was born Dona Jean Long to Violet Mae and Roy Amos Long in Broadtop, PA on May 14, 1935. Roy Long was a coalminer, and there were six children. Life was difficult so it was necessary for the Longs to entrust their children to the State of Pennsylvania Welfare System. Dona Jean was taken from her birth family at 18 months of age and placed in foster care throughout the state of Pennsylvania until she was four years old. She was then adopted by Franz and Ruth Postpichal of Philadelphia. At that time, her name became Donna May Postpichal. It was obvious to her new parents that Donna May exhibited a talent for the piano and she began to study at an early age, becoming an accomplished professional pianist. She also played the violin and viola, playing First Chair Viola in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. She graduated from Cheltenham High School in 1953. At Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ she studied Organ and Choral Conducting, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Sacred Music. She was a June bride, marrying Allan Wilber Kishpaugh. For over 40 years, she served in the Ministry of Music and as a Music Educator for students in grades K-12. In 1981, Donna May married Alan Ray Hochstetler, and together they made a search for her birth family. Happily, the family was reunited after 45 years of separation. Donna May sustained a back injury which forced her to give up playing the organ. She then chose to study to be a Stephen Leader, working with people in crisis. She was employed at Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ as the Executive Secretary in the Pastoral Care Department until she retired in 1995 and moved to Williamsburg, VA. In Virginia, she worked as a Volunteer at the Williamsburg Community Hospital Gift Shop, and later as a Patient Advocate at the Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. She was a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church. Mrs. Hochstetler is predeceased by her birth parents, her adoptive parents, a birth brother, and three birth sisters. From her first marriage, there are four surviving children and four grandsons. Her children are Charles (Karen) Kishpaugh of Orleans, MA; Robert Kishpaugh and Dale Wannamaker of Lakeland, FL; Laura (Howard) Margolis of Apex, NC; Gwendolyn (Peter) Van Heest of Virginia Beach, VA; and her grandsons are Dr. David (Charming) Kishpaugh of Waltham, MA; Kevin Kishpaugh of Denver, CO; Corey and Tyler Van Heest of Virginia Beach, VA. Also surviving are her sister Dorothy Martin, an adopted brother Charles Postpichal, and nieces and nephews. Nelsen Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Donna May will be cremated and "A Service of Celebration" of her life will be held at St Stephen Lutheran Church, 612 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg on September 18 at 11:00AM. Memorial Remembrances may be given to St. Stephen's Ministry to the Homeless.