Irene Schultz Hostetter

Published 6:27 pm Monday, March 24, 2014

Irene S. Hostetter, 91, of Columbus, N.C. died on Wednesday, March 12, 2014.

A native of South Bend, Ind., she was a daughter of the late Henry and Bertha Schultz.

She graduated from Riley High school in June, 1941 and was immediately employed in the Export Department of the South Bend Lathe Works where she worked during World War II and until her marriage to James D. (Jim) Hostetter in San Diego, CA on March 2, 1946.

After marriage, she continued to work and assisted her husband as he finished college on the GI Bill.

A devoted mother and homemaker, her community service included Meals on Wheels and the Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen in Hartford, CT.

Always a faithful participating church member, she was, along with her husband, a founding member of Pioneer Community Congregational Church, San Diego, Calif., a Methodist in Dallas, Texas, long-time member of First Baptist Church, of West Hartford, Conn. and Tryon Presbyterian Church, Tryon, N.C.

A PEO since 1968, she was a member in chapters in San Diego, Dallas, West Hartford, where she served as President, and in Hendersonville. With her husband, she moved to Tryon Estates in 1997.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 68 Years, Jim Hostetter; sons, Thomas Lee (and Anne) Hostetter of Alpharetta, Ga., and Jerald David (and Ronda) Hostetter of Burnet, Texas; a daughter, Catherine Hostetter (and Gregg) Lynch of Tryon, N.C.; sisters, Ethel Roberts of Peoria, Ill. and Bernice Miller of  Portage, Mich.; four step- grandchildren, Jamie Clancy (and Ryan), Lauren Biddle, Kim Sylvan (and Joby) and Jennifer Smith and two step-great grandchildren, Sloan and Will Sylvan.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of The Carolina Foothills 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, NC 28722, Tryon Presbyterian Church, 430 Harmon Field Road, Tryon, NC 28722, Tryon Estates, 621 Laurel Lake Drive, Columbus, NC 28722 or any other organization of your choice.

A memorial service will be held in the Tryon Estates auditorium in Columbus, N.C., on Saturday, March 22, at 3 p.m.

Condolences may be made online at www.AshevilleMortuaryServices.com