Obituary of Gene Castner

Gene Castner, 72, of Washington NJ, went to be with the Lord on October 5, 2007. He passed peacefully at Triumph Healthcare in Easton, Pa. He was born in Lebanon Twp., May 17, 1935. He was the son of the late William and Ruth Hill Castner. Gene was a building contractor in Warren County and surrounding communities from 1951; he was the President of Gene Castner Contractor and Builder, Inc. until 1994. He was a court approved expert in his field and designed and built many local structures including the Washington Emergency Squad and the Oxford Emergency Squad buildings. Gene combined leadership and passion in pursuing a variety of interests. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He co-founded the Warren County Unit #7 hunting club in 1956 and was a lifetime member of that club and of the National Rifle Association. He was the Warren County Horseshoe Champion in 1965, at which time he averaged 60% ringers. He won the NJ Class Singles Championship in 1988 and 1992. He also won the NJ Doubles Class Championship with Robert Lobell of Pittstown in 1988. Memberships: Gene was a member of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and attended tournaments throughout the US. He founded the Warren County Horseshoe Pitchers Club in 1982, of which he was also a lifetime member. He was also a member and officer of the Hunterdon County Horseshoe Pitchers Club, served as the first VP of the NJ State Horseshoe Pitchers Association and was inducted into the NJ Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame in 1994. Gene was proud of his role as an outspoken citizen who inspired others to take a stand on many issues of government. Gene asked to be remembered first and foremost as a God fearing believer who credits his Maker and Savior with blessing him with his wonderful loving family. Survivors: He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years the former Shirley Silverthorn. In addition to Shirley, he was blessed with a son Glen and his fiancé Johane of Palmer Twp, Pa.; four daughters, Sharon Ford and her husband Mark of Bangor, Pa., Cheryl Tayburn and her husband Walter of Washington Twp., Pa., Connie Deemer and her husband Thomas of Forks Twp, Pa., and Mary Castner of Washington, NJ; a brother William V. Castner and a sister Elsie Tilley, both of Washington NJ, all surviving him. Gene is also survived by eight grandchildren, Walter, Justin, Thomas, Alexandria, Jeremy, Matthew, Stephanie and Bryan, and two great grandchildren Kaijen and Rocky. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sherry Lynn. Services: A Celebration of Gene Castner's life will be on Wednesday at noon in the Assembly of God Church, Brass Castle Road in Washington. Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday in the Church from 6-8 PM. Interment will follow the Wednesday service at the Musconetcong Valley Cemetery, Hampton, NJ. The DeVoe Funeral Services, Inc., 136 West Washington Ave., Washington, NJ is in charge of his arrangements. Memorials: Memorials to the Church OR American Cancer Society, Northwest NJ Region, 669 Littleton Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07054. Online condolences may be expressed at www.devoefuneral.com. Tributes: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We were so sorry to here of Gene's passing. He will be missed by many. He was a regular in our print shop for years. We looked forward to his visits, he always had a funny story or joke to tell and really knew how to make us laugh. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and may your memories comfort you. Wendy Witner & Jennifer Bellis Good Impressions Printing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tribute from: Joan Gay Cheryl and Family, I just learned of your father's passing and want to let you know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tribute from: Sherrie Lipscomb Thank you so much, oh yes your Dad was a big part of my life. I am so glad that while he was doing well about a year or so ago I had dropped in for a visit. Your Dad was at the kitchen table and we talked for a long time, then the time before that, like so many times before sitting in the living room on the couch next to him in his favorite chair listening to him talk about his fishing and hunting trips. The time he was picking mushrooms and seen a bear, the big fish that gave his such a fight, so many stories I loved to sit and listen to his stories.. Uncle Gene was and will always hold a special place in my heart. I went to see him in the hospital. I was told, they are not going to let you in ICU, but some how I new I had to go see him and that God will work it out. Do you know they never even stopped me or asked who I was in ICU. The only thing they did was stop me and said you have to suite up. I am so thank full that God let me go in without any problems. My last memory of my uncle is that big smile as he mouthed the words. Hi Sherrie and when I left, I said; I love you and he mouthed I Love you to...... God is so good to have aloud me that special last moment with him I am forever grateful