Paul Hostettler

Reverend Paul Altman Hostettler, 100, of Nashville, TN, passed away peacefully at The Waters of Cheatham Nursing Home on Wednesday, October 19, 2023. He was a resident of Mary Queen of Angels in Nashville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Frederick Hostettler and Mary (Griffith) Hostettler, and his step-mother Delia Eileen (Flynn) Hostettler; all of Nashville, his brothers George F. Hostettler, Jr., Springfield, TN and Phillip Joseph Hostettler, Sr., Joelton, TN and niece Barbara (Hostettler) Rowland, all of Nashville.

He is survived by his niece and nephews Connie (Hostettler) Radford, Louisville, KY, Phillip Hostettler, Jr., Joelton, TN, Paul A. Hostettler, Bethpage, TN, John L. Hostettler, Murfreesboro, TN, George F. Hostettler III, Ashland City, TN, and Jeff Hostettler, Springfield, TN, along with 16 great nieces and nephews, and 6 great-grand nieces and nephews.

He attended Cathedral Elementary and Father Ryan High School, Nashville; St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IA; St. Louis Prepatory Seminary and Kenrick Theological Seminary, St. Louis, MO.

He was ordained a priest by the Most Reverend William L. Adrian, Bishop of Nashville, in the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Nashville, June 3, 1950. Served in the following Tennessee parishes: Assistant at Sacred Heart Church, Memphis; Pastor of St. Joseph Church, Jackson; Pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, Cleveland; Presided over the building of and Pastor of St. Therese of Lisieux Church, Cleveland and served St. Catherine, Copperhill as a mission while residing in Cleveland. Established St. Mary Parish, Athens while serving Cleveland and Copperhill. Pastor of St. Edwards Church, Nashville; Administrator Pro-Tem of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Nashville; St. Patrick Church, McEwan, at the same time presiding over building St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Tennessee Ridge. Pastor of St. Augustine Church Signal Mountain; Administrator Pro-Tem at St. Paul Church, Tullahoma; Pastor of St. Matthew Church, Franklin; St. Mary Church, Athens and St. Catherine, Copperhill.

Retired and moved to St. Catherine Parish, Copperhill, July 15, 1993

Moved to Villa Maria Manor, Nashville at retirement, February 12, 2007 and became Chaplain at Mary Queen of Angels.

Father Paul was a Golden Glove high school champion, as well as boxing champion of Kenrick Seminary, and an avid horseman and trainer. He enjoyed hiking in his much-loved East Tennessee mountains and enjoyed many rounds of golf in his life earning a hole-in-one! He was a talented artist, portrait painter, and cartoonist.

Most of all, Father Paul loved serving his many parishes throughout the years. His humor, warmth and friendship will be missed by many and forgotten by very few.

Father Paul’s visitation was held on Monday, October 23, 2023 at Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

A second visitation was held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Cathedral of Incarnation from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM with a Mass following at 10:00 AM.

A burial service was completed at the Priests’ Circle at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mary Queen of Angels in Nashville, and the St. Mary Legacy Clinic, Located in Knoxville, TN.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.marshalldonnellycombs.com for the Hostettler family.