John L. Gast, age 98, of Celina, died on Friday, June 14, 2024, at Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy.

He was born September 24, 1925, in Mercer County, Ohio, to the late Lewis H. & Leona M. (Beckman) Gast.

He is preceded in death by three wives, Marjorie, Abigail and Marty; Son Mark Gast; son-in-law Steve Holle; stepdaughter Sherry Haas; brothers Jim, William & Robert and grandson Christopher Allen Kneuss.

John is survived by children and their spouses: Charles (Diana) Gast of Dayton, Richard (Jacqueline) Gast of Indianapolis, Nancy Holle of Indianapolis, Becky (Gary) Adams of Vale, NC, Jenny Arrowood of Mooresville, IN, Denise Gast-Hawkins of Frankfort, IN; stepchildren, John (Fran) Barker, Gary Haas; eleven grandchildren, numerous step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and a sister Jean (Jack) Bergman of St. Henry.

John was a successful Entrepreneur, was a former member of the St. Henry School Board, one of the first boy scout leaders in St. Henry and was a longtime volunteer fireman in St. Henry. John served his country in the 17th Airborne Division 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment Company I in Europe during WWII where he received a Purple Heart.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at St. Henry Catholic Church. Following the funeral mass, burial with military honors will take place in the St. Henry Cemetery.

Friends may call on Friday, June 21, from 5 to 8 PM or on Saturday, from 9 to 9:45 AM at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home in St. Henry.

Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans or Wish For Our Heros at https://www.wishforourheroes.org/.

Condolences may be expressed in person or left at hogenkampfh.com.