Raymond E. Castello, 89, of West Deer Township, passed away Sunday, June 10, 2012, in Belair Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born Nov. 28, 1922, in Russellton, to the late John and Teresa (Prato) Castello, and was a resident of West Deer Township all his life. In 1985, he retired from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission after 12 years of service. He was a World War II veteran, having served in the Army Air Corps as a ball turret gunner with 11 missions over Europe. He was a member of St. Victor Roman Catholic Church, where he was an usher for more than 20 years, American Legion, St. Victor Church's Men's Club and The Young and The Restless of St. Victor Church, all in West Deer Township. He is survived by his nieces and nephews. Jeannee Josefczyk, of Sarver, Pattie Baker, of Slickville, Thomas Castello, of Hampton, and Eric Castello, of West Deer Township; great-nieces and great-nephew, Brigitte (Doug) Kennedy and their children, Christian and Amelia Jean, of Kittanning, Ramona Josefczyk, of Knoxville, Tenn., and Ron (Lori) Josefczyk and their child, Alana, of Sarver; stepchildren, Marlene Acton, of Lawrenceville, Jonetta Mazur, of Lawrenceville, and Antoinette (Steve) Begely, of Massachusetts; four stepgrandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Teena (Sniadach) Castello; his sister, Amelia Prymak Barlow; and brothers, Louis, Bruno and John Castello. Friends and relatives are invited to attend visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the ADAM SIEMIANOWSKI FUNERAL HOME, Starr Road, Russellton, West Deer Township. Christian funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Victor Roman Catholic Church, Bairdford, West Deer Township, with the Rev. Charles Speicher as celebrant. Interment will follow in Deer Creek Cemetery, Harmar Township.

Pittsburgh Tribune Review 6/12/2012