AUGUSTA — John J. Hovestadt, 90, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Jan. 8. He was born Sept. 25, 1927, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Caroline and Frederick Hovestadt, both deceased. John served in World War II with the 88th Blue Devil Division in Italy. In 1948, he married the former Helen Golleski, and they were married for 69 years until her passing in 2017. After working in the U.S. Postal Service for over 20 years in Greene, first as a rural letter carrier and then as postmaster, he retired in 1987.

John held a life membership in VFW Memorial Post 11032 in Greene, and was a past post commander. He also held a life membership with the American Legion. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Auburn, and served for 17 years on the church council. He served on the global mission board of the American Evangelical Lutheran Church. John attended schools in Massachusetts and graduated from Boston Trade School. His interests were camping, reading and traveling extensively in the United States, Canada, England and Italy. He and Helen wintered in Florida, and his hobbies included woodworking, especially crafting wooden board games.

John was predeceased by his wife, Helen; and by five brothers, John and Frank Ehrgott, Bernard and Fred Hovestadt, and George Schmidt; a sister, Carol Nauseda; and a granddaughter, Jessica Clark Tayon. He is survived by two daughters, Linda (Alan) Clark and Diane (Steven) Rawson; granddaughters, Janelle Clark and Melissa Clark Taylor; four great-granddaughters, Kiara Clark and Jaycee, Jacque and Alexa Taylor; one great-grandson, Quinn Slivia; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to share their memories and offer their condolences by visiting John’s online guestbook at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

John J. Hovestadt