Opha Carl Casto

Published 10:09 am Friday, January 7, 2011

WARSAW, Ky. — Opha Carl Casto, 92, of Warsaw, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, at his residence in Warsaw. He was born June 16, 1918, in Mason County, W. Va., the son of the late Opha Casto and Samantha Ellen Knapp. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Martha Henderson Casto.

Mr. Casto was a 1936 graduate of South Columbus High School and later employed by the Federal Glass Co. from 1936-1942. He was honorably discharged from the United States Army, after serving from 1942 to 1946 in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He received the American Theater Ribbon; Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon; Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star; Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal. He worked the next 35 years for the Department of Air Force, retiring in 1983. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Carl Edward Casto; two half brothers, William Hawkins and Arthur Hawkins; two half sisters, Mabel and Pearl; and longtime companion, Eileen Martin.

He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Jim Gooch of Warsaw; a son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Cindy Casto of Springfield; daughter-in-law, Bobbie Casto of Corona, Calif.; seven grandchildren, Lisa Gregory of Glenco, Ky., Michael Gregory of SouthGate, Ky., Seth Svabik of Warsaw, Brandon Casto of Springfield, Justin Casto of Springfield, Scott Casto of Corona. and Julie Koot of Corona.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Slabfork United Methodist Church in Pedro, with Minister Ronnie Henderson officiating. Burial will follow in Slabfork Cemetery with military graveside rites by the VFW Post 8850. Friends may call Saturday from 1-2 p.m. at Slabfork United Methodist Church. Phillips Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.phillipsfuneralhome.net.