Arthur Castro
March 31, 1932 - November 01, 2024
Obituary
MONONA - Arthur Castro passed away peacefully on November 1, 2024, in the company of his five children and loving wife of 71 years. Art was born in Saginaw, Michigan on March 31, 1932, to Ignacio Castro and Frances Estrada who emigrated to the United States from Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. He grew up on a small farm in Chesaning, Michigan and graduated from Chesaning High School in 1950. In July of 1952 he volunteered for the draft during the Korean Conflict. He served seventeen months on the northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. During a 10-day furlough, on January 15, 1953, he married the former Beverly Pierce.
Upon his return from the service in 1954, Art took advantage of the GI Bill to attend Michigan State University. He completed his studies with a BS degree in Lumber and Building Materials Merchandising. While at Michigan State Art and Bev welcomed son, Doug and daughter, Sheree. After completing his degree, son Kevin was born. Art worked in the lumber and building industry employed by Wickes Lumber managing yards in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Texas where daughter Marcia was born. Returning to Michigan he joined Wolohan Lumber where youngest son Alan was born. He opened yards in Illinois and Indiana. In 1971 he came to manage the Wolohan Lumber yard in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Art and Bev enjoyed traveling the world and over the years made trips to Tahiti, Africa, Europe, Canada and the Caribbean. A family trip to Mexico in honor of his Mexican heritage was memorable for our family.
Art was a member of Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, the Janesville Blackhawk Curling Club and the Blackhawk Golden Kiwanis. He enjoyed sports, especially golf and curling with his fellow Kiwanians and son Kevin. He enjoyed fishing trips with his grandsons and son-in-law. Deer Camp was an annual event at Brambleberry Farm in Ridgeway. He and Bev especially enjoyed attending their grandchildren’s various sporting events, no matter the time or temperature. Art was a gentleman, always interested in others. He was kind and considerate and had a fun sense of humor. He brought out the best in others. Above all else, he loved his family. We will always remember the lessons of his life and aspire to follow his ways.
Art is survived by his wife, Beverly; son, Doug (Andrea); and siblings, Sheree Paradise (Greg), Kevin (Nancy), Marcia and Alan (special friend, Mary Morgan); grandchildren, Erin Castro (Eden Cortez-Lopez) Lauren Castro, John Paradise (Gladys Dulay), Phillip Paradise-Suarez (Juliana), Eileen Castro, Jill Scharbarth (Tyler), Lucy O’Halloran, Patsy Kremsreiter (Kaleb), Paco, Arthur and August Castro; and great-grandchildren, Emilio, Elia and Esperanza Cortez-Castro, Quinn and Callie Scharbarth.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at NATIVITY OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 313 E. Wall
Street, Janesville at 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 am until the time of Mass on Thursday.
The family wishes to extend our gratitude to the staff at The Heritage Monona and to Agrace Hospice for the attentive and tender care they provided Dad.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420