Henry W. Hostettler, age 80, former Superintendent of Olney Schools and one of the city’s finest citizens for many years, passed away Saturday night (April 23, 1949) at the Ikemire Clinic in Palestine.  His death was due to pneumonia.

Funeral services held at Robinson.  Following services in Robinson, the body was brought to Olney where brief graveside services were held at Haven Hill Mausoleum.

Born in Richland County on June 8, 1868, Mr. Hostettler was the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Balmer) Hostettler.  He graduated from Southern Illinois Normal School at Carbondale and entered the teaching profession in Richland and Lawrence counties.

Following a term as County Superintendent of Schools in Lawrence county,  Mr. Hostettler became Superintendent of the Lawrenceville schools, a position which he held until he came to Olney in a similar capacity in 1911.

After construction of the present Olney High School building, Mr. Hostettler remained  as Superintendent of the Olney City Schools for 20 years and was also Principal of the Olney Township High School.  He was credited with doing more for the schools of Olney than any other person.

Mr. Hostettler and his family made countless friends in Olney.  He left Olney in 1931, was employed by the State of Illinois for several years and then, despite his age, operated his large farm in Crawford County, until about three years ago, when he moved to Robinson.  He had recently been a member of the Board of Review of Crawford County.

Mr. Hostettler was a member of many organizations in Olney and was actively interested in school, civic, fraternal and sports activities.

He is survived by his wife, Stella Shaw Hostettler;  two daughters, Mrs. Mary Lou Mogan of Minneapolis, Minn. And Mrs. Fern Steely of Danville; one son, Jean Hostettler of Lawrenceville; two sisters, Mrs. Flora Leathers of Arlington, Va. And Mrs. Emma Friedly of Santa Barbara, Calif.; and five grandchildren.

Olney Advocate (IL) – Thursday, April 28, 1949