Joseph W. Gaston

Joseph Woodward Gaston was born May 24, 1921 to Robert Bruce and Cora Grace Goodshaw Gaston on a farm south of Glen Elder, Kansas. He departed this life of 84 years, 11 months, 22 and days late Monday morning, May 15, 2006 at the Mitchell County Hospital Long Term Care Unit in Beloit, Kansas.
"Joe", as everyone knew him, attended Glen Elder High School and then answered the call of his country during World War II, having served in the United States Navy from 1941 until 1945.
It was on June 22, 1951 that he married Henrietta Ruby Cooper at Zion Lutheran Church in Beloit and to this happy union were born six children Kim, Vicki, Connie, Tammy, Carla, and Jennifer.
Joe devoted his working life to helping feed a hungry world through farming. After his marriage to Ruby, they lived on a farm near Victor, and then in about 1957 moved to Glen Elder. He retired in about 1994.
Besides farming, Joe was employed by USD 272 as a school bus driver. He loved this job, and especially looked forward to taking the kids to all of the out of town games and other school events.
Joe loved sports, especially baseball and was a devout fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. In his earlier days, he played first base on the Glen Elder Baseball team and was always proud of the fact that he played on the "first" town team. You could always count on seeing Joe at the coffee shop rehashing the outcome of the games with his large circle of buddies. As his grandchildren became involved in events, Joe made it a point to attend as many of their activities and games as possible.
He was a member of the Glen Elder United Methodist Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6242 of Beloit.
His parents preceded him in death. In addition, Joe was preceded in death by his sister Vera Patterson.
Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his wife Ruby of the home; one son Kim Gaston and wife Kay of Glen Elder; daughters Vicki Stuart and husband Darel of Glen Elder, Connie Cates and husband Kirk of Salina, Tammy Lindsey and husband Brian of Raleigh, North Carolina, Carla Carl and husband Gary of Glen Elder, Jennifer Benien and companion Steve Naumann of Glasco; twelve grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and a host of many friends and relatives.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at the McDonald Funeral Home with Pastor Ross Olson officiating. Interment will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery at Glen Elder with Military Honors. Memorials may be given to Solomon Valley Hospice. Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the McDonald Funeral Home.