Esther Marlene (Gastin) Hoskins was born on June 6, 1937, in Logan, Ohio to Robert Emil Gastin and Willo Blanche (Lent) Gastin. Marlene passed away peacefully at age 88 on the 20th day of May, 2026. Marlene graduated from Logan High School, playing the trombone in band and piano in church. Following high school, she graduated from Ohio University with a degree in elementary education, and later; while juggling her church, family and career; she added a Masters Degree. In 1958, she married "Ted" Fred Oliver Hoskins, a U.S. Navy Veteran and truck mechanic in Columbus, where they made their home and raised three daughters. Marlene loved life as a mother, homemaker, cook and baker, always humming hymns as she worked.

As her girls grew, she returned to teaching, finding a job in Licking County, and teaching in Etna Ohio until she retired. Mrs. Hoskins, as she was known at Etna Elementary, made a difference in her classroom. She was nationally recognized as an outstanding educator. She was requested by parents and loved by her students. Over 25 years after her retirement, she still has had students keeping in touch and telling her what she meant to them. She was the salt and the light in many lives.

As empty nesters, Marlene and Ted moved back to their Hocking Hills roots and lived there until no longer able. Marlene had a strong, life-long Christian faith and always gave her very best effort in all she did, whether she was playing piano, being a wife, mother, teacher, neighbor, friend, or Buckeye fan.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Willo Gastin; her husband of 55 years, Ted Hoskins; her brother, Darrell Gastin; and daughter, Brenda E. Frazier. She has sorrowfully felt the loss of grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, in-laws, and so many, who in times past, were so closely knit. No doubt she has quite the welcoming committee. She is survived by her brother, Jim Gastin; daughters, Melinda (Ron) LeRoy and Pamela (Nick) Burgess; her grandchildren, Amy (Kevin) Knecht, Chelsea (Brian) Pennington, Blaine Burgess, and Christy (Mike) Mackessy, and great-grandchildren, Jacob Pennington, Kyla Knecht, Beckett Mackessy, Will Pennington, Hallie Mackessy, and Lucy Mackessy; and deeply loved cousins, nephews, nieces and their families.

Marlene will be remembered for her strong love of God and family, her kind and gentle nature, and her concern for others. Her most fervent hope is to see you in her new home.

Visitation will be Wednesday May 27, 2026 from 5-8 pm at the MYERS-WOODYARD FUNERAL HOME 587 Main Street

in Groveport.  Graveside service will be Thursday, May 28th 11 am at the Greenlawn Cemetery in Nelsonville, Ohio.