Father Paul Altman Hostettler died Wednesday, Oct. 18, in Nashville. He had celebrated his 100th birthday in May, and was a diocesan priest for over 73 years.
A native of Nashville and an alumnus of Father Ryan High School, Father Hostettler was ordained for the Diocese of Nashville in 1950, and served in parishes across Middle and East Tennessee, including parishes in Cleveland, Athens, and Copperhill. He became an incardinated priest of the Diocese of Knoxville when the diocese was created in 1988.
There will be more on Father Hostettler's life and years of ministry in an upcoming edition of The East Tennessee Catholic.
Upon his retirement from parish ministry, Father Hostettler returned to Nashville, where he provided priestly service to his fellow residents at Mary Queen of Angels assisted living center and offered mentorship to many of his brother priests young and old.
Visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 23, from 5-8 p.m. CST at the Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home (201 25th Ave. N., Nashville, TN 37203). The funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. CST, with visitation an hour prior, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville (2015 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203).