Earl E. "Gene" Hostettler, 73, of Evansville, Ind. died Thursday March 28, 1996 at Welborn Baptist Hospital in Evansville.  Funeral services at Twelfth Avenue General Baptist Church in Evansville.

Hostettler was born February 6, 1923 in Olney, the son of Earl and Nettie (Lewis) Hostettler. He married Esther Hollingsworth December 23, 1942 in Evansville, Ind.

Hostettler was a retired long-time employee of Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in North Africa, Sicily on the Italian Mainland and in southern France during WW II. He was a long-time active worker in the Twelfth Avenue General Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Esther; three daughters, Karen Hammonds, Rachel Villenes and Erin Knight all of Evansville; seven sons, Earl T. Hostettler of Newburgh, Ind., Daniel and Roy Hostettler both of Evansville, Eric Hostettler of Wadesville, Ind., Ethan Hostettler of Owensboro, Ky., Roger Hostettler of Crestwood, Ky. and U.S. Congressman, John Hostettler; four sisters, Aleen Hostettler of Olney, Georgia Bishop of Toluca, Marjorie West of Peoria and Barbara Beyer of Decatur; a brother, Roy L. Hostettler of Bloomington, Ill.; 27 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Hostettler.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) - April 2, 1996