Alfred "Al" J. Hoerstman

Alfred Joseph “Al or A.J.” Hoerstman, age 92, passed away Saturday, November 12, 2022, at his home in Mishawaka. A lifelong resident of our area, Al was born April 22, 1930, in Mishawaka, Indiana to the late William H. and Marie (Kronewitter) Hoerstman. He was a graduate of Mishawaka High School, class of 1948.  On May 1, 1954, he married the former Ms. Joan Marie VanDriessche at St. Bavo Catholic Church in Mishawaka. They celebrated 57 years of marriage before her passing in June of 2011.

A.J. is survived by his children; Ann Doyle of Elkhart, Mark (Angela) Hoerstman of Lakeville, Mary Guyer of Rancho Cucamonga, California, Rita (Matt) Weiss of Walkerton, Linda J. Szalewski of Mishawaka, and Karen (David) Zigon of Warsaw. Surviving as well are 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Al was preceded in death by his son Jim Hoerstman in 2016, his brothers James A. and Robert W. Hoerstman, his son in law, Ted Szalewski and his grandson David Jordan Zigon.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 pm Thursday, November 17 ,2022, at Goethals and Wells Funeral Home in Mishawaka. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at 10:00am on Friday, November 18. 2022, at St. Bavo Catholic Church, Mishawaka. Al will be laid to rest beside Joan in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

A.J. was employed for over 45 years with different automobile dealerships in the Michiana area where he served his customers with pride in the parts and service departments and later as a service and body shop manager before retiring at the age of 62.

In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and hunting as well as working in his garden and tinkering around with small projects around the home he built with his own two hands. He also loved to watch hockey and football and was a longtime fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Al will be remembered as loving husband, father, and grandfather whose sense of humor and silly jokes made everyone around him laugh. He never met a stranger and made friends easily, yet he never forgot his high school classmates and stayed in touch with them frequently.

In his memory, donations may be made to Heartland Hospice.  To light a virtual candle, share a story of Al’s life, or leave a message of comfort for his family, please follow the links provided on the tribute wall tab above.