Aleen Alma Hostettler, 98, of Olney, died Friday, August 12, 2011, at Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.  A memorial service held at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home with Pastor Jan M. Laws officiatintg. Burial in Haven Hill Cemetery in Olney.

Aleen was born March 10, 1913, in rural Richland County, the daughter of Earl and Nettie (Lewis) Hostettler. She is preceded in death by one sister, Georgia Bishop; and three brothers, Roy Hostettler and wife, Dorothy Jean, Earl Eugene (Gene) Hostettler and wife, Esther, and Robert (Bob) Hostettler.

She graduated from Olney Township High School in 1931. In preparation for her career as a high-school teacher, she received a Bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University with a major in History. Later she earned a Master’s degree in History from the University of Illinois. She began teaching high school in Clayton. She taught a few years in Bridgeport and finally finished teaching her last 25 years at East Richland High School. During her 38-year teaching career, she taught Latin, assisted with publishing several year books and directed 23 senior plays. Her teaching encouraged and enabled many former students to continue their education in college.

Aleen was a charter member of First Christian Church-Disciples of Christ in Olney. She was a long-time elder of the church and taught an adult Sunday School class for more than two decades. She was a member of Retired Teachers of Richland County and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an honorary society for women teachers.

She is survived by two sisters, Marjorie West, of Peoria, and Barbara Beyer, of Decatur. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, Tom Hostettler and his, wife, Carla, Roger Hostettler and his wife, Bonnie, Dan Hostettler and his wife, Lynda, Eric Hostettler and his wife, Susan, Karen Hammonds and her husband, Robert, Erin Knight and her husband, Jeffrey, Rachel Villines and her husband, Bruce, John Hostettler and his wife, Beth, Ethan Hostettler, Roy Hostettler and his wife, April, David West and his wife, Amy, Kathy Speiden and her husband, Ralph, Ann Graven, Thomas Beyer, and Robert Beyer and his wife, Julie.  

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)