M. Arlene (Gingrich) Hostetter Early, 93

September 02, 2025

M. Arlene (Gingrich) Hostetter Early, of Brethren Village in Lititz, PA, died on Tuesday, September 2, at the age of 93.

Born in East Petersburg on January 28, 1932, she was the daughter of Sara Mae and Rufus B. Gingrich. She graduated from Manchester College with a B.S. degree and nursing school at Case Western Reserve – completing her BSN. Her long nursing career started at Lancaster General Hospital and later Philhaven Hospital. Specialties spanned medical-surgical, pediatrics, psychiatric nursing and included leadership positions.

In 1971, Arlene married J. Joseph Hostetter, becoming the stepmother to Joseph B., Gordon R., and two adult children, Joan L. and J. Ronald Hostetter. This marked a career change managing the family business, Ridge Run Campground, in Elizabethtown. Together they expanded the campground for more than a decade. Later, the couple purchased Wernersville Hardware and continued their entrepreneurial success until Joseph’s sudden death in 1984. Arlene returned to East Petersburg, where she devoted herself to caring for her parents in her home until their deaths.

In 2000, Arlene married Robert F. Early Sr., MD. bringing five more adult stepchildren into her life: Beth Elayne, Amy Jo, Robert F. Jr., Suzanne G., and Marjorie Ann. She is survived by eight stepchildren and their spouses, three generations of grandchildren, and her nieces and nephews from the Gingrich family. A private burial is planned this week with a memorial service to follow this fall.