Ronald "Ron" Hoskins was born on October 30, 1955, in Clarinda, Iowa, to Thelma (Huddle) and Donald Hoskins. He was raised on the Hoskins family farm—established in 1855—alongside his siblings Donna, Karen, Arlan, and Mike. From an early age, Ron felt a deep calling to continue the family tradition of farming. By his junior year of high school, he was already running his own farming operation.
Ron attended Mountain View Bible College in Alberta, Canada, where he met the love of his life, Bonnie Carroll, of Phoenix, Arizona. The two were married on September 3, 1976. Sensing a call to serve God after college, Ron took a pastoral position at a Missionary Church in Hutchinson, Kansas.
In 1980, they felt God leading them back to Iowa to take over the family farm, while intentionally continuing to serve God through a lifestyle of ministry to their family, church, and community. Together, Ron and Bonnie raised their three children, Mark, Caleb, and Sarah, all of whom came to know and follow Jesus.
Though he didn't carry the formal title of "pastor," Ron lived a life of ministry. He mentored and discipled others, shared his love for God's Word, practiced extreme generosity, and consistently demonstrated God's kindness to everyone he met. His faith in Christ guided every decision he made.
Ron wore many hats throughout his life. He was a farmer, an entrepreneur, school bus driver, volunteer firefighter, EMT, ski patroller and instructor, district political representative, church elder, denominational leader within the Missionary Church, youth leader, Sunday School teacher, private pilot, and more. In every one of these roles, his faith was central.
Ron valued family deeply. Despite long distances, he prioritized family connections, spending vacations traveling for family reunions and visits. He was actively involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren, and one of his greatest motivations for enduring challenging chemotherapy treatments was his desire to watch his grandchildren grow.
Ron passed from this life into the presence of Christ on Friday, November 21, due to complications from chemotherapy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Thelma Hoskins, and his younger brother, Mike.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Bonnie; son Mark (Perla) Hoskins and their children Gabriel, Michaela, and Angelica; son Caleb (Jacene) Hoskins and their children Maya, Evan, and Isla; and daughter Sarah Hoskins.
Ron leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and service that will impact generations to come. He will be deeply missed.
Funeral services will be held 10.00 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at Harvest Fellowship Church, Shambaugh, Iowa with Pastor Scott Denham and Pastor Bob Thompson officiating. Burial will be at the Shearer Cemetery in rural Page County, Iowa. Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 25, 2025 5:00 p.m. to 7: 00 p.m. at Nodaway Valley Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Clarinda Wind Riders Chapter 1533 EAA, Young Eagles Chapter, P.O. Box 254 Clarinda, Iowa.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Nodaway Valley Funeral Home of Clarinda.
