Andrew Hoskins

A jokester, charismatic, big hearted, and a hard worker were just a few ways to describe the character of Andy Hoskins. He was talented in every aspect of life, lived in the moment, never knew a stranger and quickly could form a relationship with someone. He always had a smile on his face, was happy to see you and family and close friends never left without a hug and an "I love you" from him.

With entertainment technology advancing in the 80's, the very first Final Fantasy video game was released in 1987. Full House and The Simpsons first episodes aired and Fox Broadcasting Company made its prime-time TV debut. DNA evidence was first used in a criminal conviction and the average cost of a gallon of gas was 89 cents. In the music world, Aretha Franklin was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and some of the popular musicians of the time like Michael Jackson released " BAD " album, Janet Jackson released the single "Let's Wait Awhile", Bryan Adams "Into the Fire" album went on sell, as did Fleetwood Mac album's "Tango in the Night". With everything going on in the world, no news was more exciting to Mike L. and Karen J. (Wisner) Hoskins as they welcomed their first child together, Andrew Justin Hoskins into their hearts and home on January 18, 1987 in Warsaw, Indiana.

By the age of 2, Andy and his family would move north of Columbia City and he was raised in the Tri-Lakes area on Big Cedar Lake along with his siblings, Ken, Jennifer and his younger brother Joe. In his youth, he loved spending time with friends, swimming and found a lifelong love for golf by the age of 9. While attending Columbia City High School, Andy competed on the golf team. He would go on to graduate with the Class of 2005.

Andy had various jobs working with sheet metal and as a CNC operator along with taking a few college classes as he worked. While working for a sheet metal company, he had the opportunity to see more the country with his job sending him to New England and down to the Gulf Coast. In the summer of 2018, Andy took a machinist job with Hoosier Industrial Metals in Goshen.

In his free time, he still enjoyed the game of golf and it was not uncommon to find Andy playing his guitar or listening to music as he relaxed. He was a talented guitarist and loved for his family and friends to listen to a new song that he or he and his brother Joe put together. Always looking to entertain others and bring a smile to other's faces, he and Joe even competed in a Battle of the Bands and Andy wanted to make sure they stood out from the musicians even if they were not going to win.

Life will never be the same for Andy's family after they learned the news Sunday morning, September 23, 2018 that Andy had unexpectedly pass away. He is survived by his parents, Mike and Karen Hoskins, of Columbia City; daughter, Brooklyn Tipton, of Virginia; siblings, Ken (Melissa) Linder, of Columbia City, Jennifer Levy, of Fort Wayne and Joe Hoskins, of Columbia City; grandmother, Betty Surine, of Fort Wayne; good friend Tasha Wiles; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Millard and Rita Hoskins, Vern Wisner and Dick Surine.

Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2018 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Andy will be laid to rest at Riverview Cemetery in rural Churubusco. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory to the donor's choice. Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family condolences online.

"Life is an echo. What you send out- comes back. What you sow- you reap. What you give- you get. What you see in others- exists in you. Do not judge- so you will NOT be judged. Radiate and give LOVE-and Love comes back to you."