Obituary of Loren Gast

Passed away peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Saviour on Friday, January 23, 2009 at Strathmere Lodge, in his 96th year. Loren Elmer Gast was the beloved husband of the late Harriet Jean Gast (2008), Dear father of Roger (Ruth) of Strathroy, David (Sharon) of London, and Karl (Linda) of Alvinston. Loving grandfather of Paul (Laurie) Gast of Strathroy, Bryan (Kathy) Gast of Sarnia, Rob (Carina) Gast of Waterloo, Marty (Holly) Gast of Waterloo, Kent (Norma) Coleman of Alvinston, Karrie (Mark) Brown of Michigan, Josh Gast of Windsor, and Janene Gast of Alvinston and great-grandfather of Jeffrey, Jillian and Victoria Gast, Zachary, Mathew and Grace Gast, Amanda and Kayleigh Gast, Kendra and Jackson Coleman, and Jazmine, Desyrae, Deante, and Keearra Brown. Loren was predeceased by one son, Paul Stephen, who was taken in a fire which destroyed the family home in 1952, and another son in infancy. He is also predeceased by three sisters - Vesta Stocks, Verle Brooks, and Doris Bilenki. His dear wife Jeannie preceded him to heaven on July 22, 2008. Loren was born to Elmer and Sarah Gast on April 15, 1913 in Mishawaka, Indiana, the third in a family of four. They settled on a farm in Kerwood when he was three years old. Three years later they moved to a farm in Appin, where he spent most of his childhood years. Then when he was 18, they moved to a dairy farm near Strathroy. He married Jean in 1938 and together they raised their family on the farm until selling it in 1961. The second half of his life began with managing the farm before moving to town in 1964, working for E. J. Wright, and later the London Hunt Club. Then in 1973 they moved to Toronto where he was Building Superintendent at Ontario Bible College. After retiring they lived in Brampton and Palmerston before coming full circle back to Strathroy in 2001. Loren was the last of his generation of Gasts, and now passes on to the generations that follow his example of a strong work ethic and a sincere faith in Christ his Saviour. Visitation will be at Denning Bros. Funeral Home, Strathroy on Monday, January 26 from 6-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at the Bethel Baptist Church, 264 Princess St., Strathroy on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Roy Lawson officiating. Interment to follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, London. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family.