Retired minister was 'amazing friend'

The Rev. Donald E. Castle is remembered by family as a gentle, kind, caring, loving, patient, honest and humorous leader.

The 60-year-old retired rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Lombard died Sunday after battling a long illness. He also was the current chaplain for the Lombard Fire Department.

"I'm going to miss having him look at me and say, 'I love you,'" said Carla, his wife of 36 years, "(and) being in his presence and learning more about myself each day through his example."

The Rev. Castle, who lived in Elmhurst, served at Calvary from 1977 to 2007. He was a 1967 graduate of Dixon High School, received his B.S. in history from Northern Illinois University in 1972 and his master's in divinity from Nashotah House in 1975. Ordained in 1975, he served at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Park Ridge from 1975 to 1977. He was nominated for Man of the Year in Lombard and was a volunteer for Adult Day Care in Elmhurst.

Daughter Ruth Ann Castle of Elmhurst said her father was one of the wisest people she's ever met. He was a wonderful listener and an amazing friend and father.

"I had said at his retirement that everybody has a dad, but not everybody has a father," she said. "He was definitely a father in many ways."

The Rev. Castle is survived by his wife, daughter, son Donald George Castle, three grandchildren, his sister, three brothers and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The funeral service for the Rev. Castle will be held at 11 a.m. today at Calvary Episcopal Church, 105 W. Maple St. in Lombard. Entombment will be in Calvary Columbarium; visitation was Tuesday.

Memorials to Calvary Episcopal Church in Lombard, in care of the Rev. Donald E. Castle Memorial Fund, would be appreciated. Family members request no flowers.