Eugene Richard "Gene" Casto, 86, of Marietta, died Friday, June 3, 2016, at Select Specialty Hospital in Columbus. He was born April 3, 1930 in Marietta to Arlie Darrell and Audrey Edith Orr Casto. He was a U.S. Army veteran of Korea. Gene had worked for the City of Marietta Water Department for 30 years, retiring in 1985. He was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and had served as a deacon. Gene was a member of American Legion Post #64 and life member of VFW Post #5108. Gene enjoyed time spent with family. He also enjoyed birdwatching, woodworking, including making birdhouses, watching cowboy shows and Gibbs, cars, and canvas painting. He is survived by two daughters, Rhonda Jo Oliver (Timothy) and Barbara Lee Casto, of Marietta; a son, Richard Eugene Casto (Ginger) of Waterford, 18 grandchildren and several great grandchildren; two brothers, Ronald Casto of Marietta and Dewey "Bill" M. Casto (Sheila) of Nevada and a sister, Sandra Lamb, of Marietta. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lou Schau Casto, they had been married in Gallipolis on April 22, 1951, she died on November 22, 2009; also preceded by a daughter, Raomi Jean Morris, brother, Wayne Casto, and two sisters, Carol Sue Casto and Donna Hendershot. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2016, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, with the Rev. Linda Steelman officiating. Friends may call on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Marietta Chapel of Cawley & Peoples Funeral Home. Burial will be at East Lawn Memorial Park, with full military honors. Donations may be made to the Memorial Fund at First Congregational UCC, 318 Front St., Marietta, Ohio 45750.
