Esther K. Hosto, nee Williams, 92, of Collinsville, Ill., born January 19, 1920, in Marthasville, MO., died Monday, November 19, 2012, at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center, Joliet, Ill.

Mrs. Hosto was a retired teacher for Collinsville United 10 School District. She taught for over 36 years in Illinois and Missouri. She loved baking, especially cookies and also gardening flowers and spending time with her family. She was a member of St. John United Church of Christ and the Women's Guild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Arby Hosto; her parents, Manuel and Frieda, nee Backhaus, Williams; and an infant great-grandson, Arby Thomason Williams; and a brother-in-law, Wilbert Schultz.

Surviving are two daughters, Cynthia (Kevin) O'Donnell of Arlington Heights, Ill., and Kathy (Paul) Thomason of Plainfield, Ill.; a sister, Onieta Schulze of Warrenton, Mo.; and six granddaughters, Nicole (Stephen) Puhr, Amanda (Michael) Williams, Heather Thomason, Catherine O'Donnell, Claire O'Donnell and Colleen O'Donnell; and a great-grandson, Tyler Puhr.

Memorials may be made to St. John United Church of Christ or to Heifer International.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, at St. John Church of Christ, Collinsville, Ill., with Rev. Tony Minear officiating. Burial will be held at Salem Cemetery, Alhambra, Ill.