Obituary of Richard Irving Castell, Jr.

Richard Irving Castell, Jr., 77, of Chambersburg, PA, formerly of Netcong, NJ, departed this life on the evening of Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at the Chambersburg Hospital.

He was born Kevin Joseph Keefe on January 17, 1941, in New York, to Eilleen Keefe, and was adopted at eight years old by the late Richard Irving and Margaret Eleanor Dietrict Castell, Sr., who raised him. 

Richard was a veteran of the U.S. Army and worked as an OSHA Specialist for the federal government for thirty two years, retiring in 1995.

Richard was a volunteer at and a member of thirty to forty different charitable organizations throughout his life.  He was especially involved with prison ministry and literacy volunteer groups.  Richard was a member of Toastmasters and once designed, built, and operated St. Clare’s Haunted Barn in Denville, NJ, for many years.  Known for his sense of humor, Richard always said that he had started a halfway house for girls that won’t go all the way.

He is survived by six children, Debbie (Eric) Molan of Rockaway, NJ, Kelly (James) Garvey of Dennis Twp., NJ, Kenneth Raff of Newton, NJ, Mary Carmody of Newton, NJ, Robert Castell, and Charlie Yates of Kailua Kona, HI; twelve grandchildren; one brother, Sam (Judy) Reiman of Dingman’s Ferry, PA; numerous foster brothers and sisters; and his best friend and caregiver, Rebecca Furry of Chambersburg.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by one brother, Charles ‘Buddy” Castell and his four-legged furry companion, Nutmeg.

His funeral service will be held at 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the Fogelsanger-Bricker Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc., Shippensburg.  Ms. Ann Larrow will officiate.  Interment, with military honors, will occur in the Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at 9:00 a.m., on Friday, April 27, 2018.  Viewing will be Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Richard Castell’s halfway house for girls that won’t go all the way or a charity of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.fogelsanger-brickerfuneralhome.com.