CHESTER "CHET" GAST

SPENCERVILLE — Chester W. "Chet" Gast, 80, of Spencerville, passed away peacefully in the Joint Twp. District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys at 3:05 AM Thursday, March 16, 2017 following a week long illness.

He was born August 12, 1936 in Lima, a son of Chester W. and Helen J. Bosch Gast, who are deceased. On November 24, 1972 he married Elizabeth Anne Jones Whitney, who survives, along with five children; Steven (Pam) Gast and Sherry Whitney (Mark) Henschen, both of New Knoxville; Mary Whitney(Toby) Strayer of Spencerville; David (Bobbi) Whitney of St. Marys and Cathy (Don) Sobosly of Orlando, Fl.; 9 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren; and 3 siblings; Ron (Koneta) Gast of Huntington, W.V.; Karen (Gene) McClure of Mt. Vernon and Linda (Dennis) Trayner of Fort Jennings.

He was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law; Trina Gast and his brother-in-law; Larry Martz.

Chet was a graduate of the Central High School in Lima and went on to serve in the U. S. Navy.

He was the third generation owner-operator of Gast Flooring and Refinishing Company of Spencerville, which he was still working at. In addition to his love of his family, he enjoyed serving as Santa for many years for the children in the area, camping, hunting and fishing.

He was a life member of the Bowersock Bros. VFW Post 6772, the Harry J. Reynolds American Legion Post 191, both of Spencerville and the Amvets #39 in Wapakoneta. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge #1473 in Celina and the Eagles Lodge, Aerie # 767 in St. Marys.

Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Monday in the THOMAS E. BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME in Spencerville, with Pastor Robert King officiating. Burial will follow in the Spencerville Cemetery with military rites at the funeral home by the Spencerville Veterans.

Friends may call from 2 until 4 and 6 until 8 PM Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grand Lake Hospice , 1122 East Spring Street, St. Marys, Ohio 45887. Condolences may be sent to tbayliff@woh.rr.com