Ernest Joseph Castille

Ernest Joseph Castille, 85, died Friday, December 7, 2012, in Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

Born in Church Point, Louisiana, to Onezime and Laura Guidry Castille, Mr. Castille served his country in the US Army Corps of Engineers during the World War II era. He moved to Lake Charles in 1966, where he owned and operated A-OK Motor Parts for twenty-four years, retiring in 1989. Mr. Castille loved playing music. He was inducted into the Cajun Music Hall of Fame and delighted in playing music, particularly with his group, Cajun Friends, in various venues in our area. His natural gift of gab endeared him to many. He was a 63-year member of the American Legion Post No. 1, and was recently honored as one of the longest members in good standing.

Mr. Castille taught his four sons to love hunting and fishing as he did, and they shared many quality hours together through the years in their love of the sports. He enjoyed watching football games and was an avid LSU and Saints fan. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife in their motorhome during their retirement years. Mr. Castille was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. His greatest joy was found in spending time with his family. He was a faithful member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church.

Those left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 63 years, Gertrude Miller Castille; four sons, Ron Castille and wife Debbie, Tim Castille, Mark Castille and wife Joanna, all of Lake Charles, and Chris Castille and wife Charlene of Lilburn, Georgia; one daughter, Jennifer Toups and husband Larry, also of Lake Charles; eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his eleven siblings.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Msgr. Harry Greig and Father John Huckaby will officiate. Interment will be at Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 5 until 9 p.m., with a rosary at 6 p.m., followed by the American Legion service.

Memorial donations may be made to Fisher House, 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850-5168.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the compassionate care given their beloved husband and father to the skilled doctors, nurses and staff who attended him during his illness, and especially to those of Christus Homecare St. Patrick.