Robert L. Casto

Robert L. Casto, 74, of Little Hocking, Ohio passed away March 15, 2011 at the Cleveland Clinic.He was born March 5, 1937 in Ripley, W.Va. the son of the late Lexie and Belle Parrish Casto. He was a 1955 graduate of Parkersburg High School. He followed his father in trade and was employed at Demuth Glass from 1955 until serving in the United States Army Engineering Btn. from 1958 to 1964. He then returned to the glass manufacturing plant, at that time named Brockway and then Owens-Illinois, where he worked until his retirement in 1985.He was a wonderful businessman. As owner of Midway Machining, Inc. in Marietta, Ohio for the past 25 years he took great pleasure in solving problems and helping his customers out of tight and sometimes, emergency situations. He enjoyed raising Limousin Cattle and working with children through county fairs, cattle shows and expositions for many years. Children were his passion. He had a special gift of being sensitive to others feelings and seemed to see beyond the normal understanding. He will be greatly missed by many.He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 22 years, Katherine Shepard Casto; one stepdaughter, Brooke Proffitt and husband, Robert of Little Hocking, Ohio; stepsons, Daniel Murphy and wife, Keisha of Little Hocking, Ohio, Perry Elschlager and wife, Linda of Mineral Wells, W.Va., Terry Elschlager and wife, Sherry of Washington, W.Va., and Rocky Parsons II of Parkersburg, W.Va.; three sisters, Helen Gault Johnson of Parkersburg, W.Va., Ginny Cullum and husband, Bud of Indian Harbor Beach, FL, and Joan Baker of Columbus, Ohio; brother, Billy Earl Casto and wife, Pam of Parkersburg, W.Va.; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Wilma Young and infant sister, Betty Marie.Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 21, 2011 at Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home, 1305 Washington Blvd. Belpre, Ohio with Pastor Jenni Dunham officiating. Burial will follow at St. Marys Catholic Cemetery in Little Hocking, Ohio with military graveside rites by American Legion Post 15. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home