Alvin “Al” Wayne (Hogrefe) Drittler, 75, of Russellville, passed away on November 26, 2020 at Arkansas Hospice House in Russellville.  Alvin was born to Simon and Hilda Hogrefe on May 12, 1945.  After the untimely death of his father, Simon, Alvin was adopted by Martin Drittler when Martin married Hilda in 1953. 

He is preceded in death by his parents. Simon Hogrefe and Martin and Hilda Drittler.

Alvin attended Russellville High School and graduated in 1963.  He then attended Arkansas Tech University receiving his Bachelors in Education 1968 and Masters in Education 1987.

Alvin married Faye Hallum on March 18, 1972 in Russellville.  They have 2 children Lauren Robertson (Duane) and Justin Drittler (Sara) all of Russellville. They have 7 grandchildren, Nikolaus, Logan, and Kasey Drittler and Haley, Caleb, Elizabeth, and Jeremy Robertson all of Russellville. 

Alvin began his teaching career in Casa, AR and in Ozark, AR 1968 - 1969.  He then joined the staff at Dardanelle High School for 31 years teaching Math and being the Quiz Bowl Coach plus driving the school bus. He worked for the Pope County Library in the early 80’s.   He retired from teaching in 1998 to work full time at the Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System in Dardanelle.  He fully retired in June 2012.  

He was a faithful member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Russellville, AR where he served many positions over the years, his favorite being an elder.  

He was a member of the Yell County Retired Teachers Association. Even after retiring he remained part of the close-knit group of friends he made over the years while teaching. He was serving on the Priority Federal Credit Union board at the time of his passing. 

During his retirement he got to enjoy what his real passion was serving his community and church, reading, and spending time with his 7 grandchildren.  He served on the camp board for the Lutheran Camp on Petit Jean where his children and grandchildren have attended. He held many positions at his church, St John’s Lutheran, but he loved being an elder because of the interactions he was able to have with people inside and outside of the church. He volunteered in the community through Sharing and Caring of Dardanelle and River Valley Food for Kids in Russellville. He loved being able to visit with people, those he worked alongside and those he was serving.  When he wasn’t volunteering or had his nose in a book, he would faithfully be attending all the activities his grandchildren were involved in, like Baseball, Football, Cheer, Music Programs, Plays, Awards Assemblies, and many more. He loved when his grandchildren came to visit and even help them with their homework.  He even shared his love of the St. Louis Cardinals with a few of his grandchildren.

Graveside service will be Monday, November 30, 2020 at 2:00 p.m., at Augsburg Cemetery.  Pallbearers: Jackson Vanya, Gary Hogrefe, Shane Knoernschild, Justin Morton, Brett Graves and Aaron Hetland. Honorary Pallbearers are Jack Manatt, Terry Bartholomew, Bill Butzlaff, David Snellings, Rick Jackson and Ken Olson.