Edward J. Castona was born to Mose and Mary Castona July 20, 1918 in Dancy, Wisconsin. Edward married Lillian Gunseor on January 25th, 1947. Edward and his family moved to the Helena area in 1950. Edward served as a staff sergeant in WWII in the Army Airforce as an Armorer Gunner 612th; he was also part of the European theater. Edward received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and The Silver Star.
Edward is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and sisters. Edward had lost his wife in 2009. He is survived by: his sons, Dennis Castona, Jerry Castona, and Davis Castona; his daughters, Christine Balcerzak, Diane Potter, and Terry Alexander; 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Any donations can be made to the Military Order of the Purple Heart USA (on the memo line please note: National Service Program.) Donations can be dropped off or mailed to: Kim Ramsey, National service officer, Military order of the Purple Heart, P.O Box 211, Fort Harrison, MT 59636. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Edward.
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
11:00 a.m.
Thursday July 20, 2017
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
3550 Heros Road
Fort Harrison , Montana 59636
Reception
Following the Graveside Service
Thursday July 20, 2017
Maixner Residence
7720 Clausen Road
Helena, Montana 59601
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Jeanine Kaczmarzyk says
I have so many old memories of the young handsome uncle who was the war hero. I remember his visits back to the Mosinee area and talking with my Mother Leona about their childhood memories, his gold hunting days and his memories of World War 2, being a turret gunner, how cold it was, being shot down and surviving. Amazing life, I have pictures of Grandma and Grandpa visiting in Montana. My condolences to all of his family. I will keep in touch. Love you all. Jeanine Castona Kaczmarzyk. Also regards from my Husband Ray who always enjoyed talking with Ed about his adventures.
Judy Vesely says
Our most sincere sympathy to you all as you say goodbye to your Dad, Granpa, Great Granpa, Uncle , friend.
You and we are now the next Castona generation! All are gone that were sons and daughters of Mose and Marry Ella
We still talk about the visit we had with you at the nursing home when we were in Montana a few years ago. We went out to dinner; he was so hard of hearing. He also came to the Liedtke-Gunsor family reunion a few years before that and stayed with my Dad, Gordon. Both were so hard of hearing, I don’t know how they communicated!!!.
Somewhere in this house I have the information of his service years.
Many talented man, much loved.
Gordy and Judy (Castona) Vesely
Jim Staeck says
From all of your family on the Ida Castona Staeck family we send our most sincere condolences. Uncle Ed’s passing is like the end of an epic era. We feel blessed however that so many of them were with us for so many years. I can remember when Uncle Ed returned to Mosinee from World War Two. He was one of the most decorated soldiers from the area. We can be very proud that we had such great honorable men in our family history.
May God bless you all as you adjust your lives without him in it.
Jim Staeck
Dolly says
R.I.P. Uncle Ed, and prayers to you and your family. I’m so happy I got to visit with you the last time you came home. I am so proud of you and your brothers that served for our USA. I always was so proud of your picture, in uniform and the chest full of medals, thank’s uncles for fighting for us. I only wish I could have” pan gold” with you, thanks for the stories.
LOVE, Deanna (Staeck) Jaros
Sandy (Poor) Benson says
To all of the Castona Family, I pray God gives you peace and comfort during the grieving of your father. I am sending warm hugs. Love, Sandy (Poor) Benson
Viola Madison says
Ed was my Uncle. He was my Mother’s brother. He was a good man who accomplished so many amazing things in his lifetime.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Betty Rosine Dean Andringa says
Although I did not know Edward personally, my deceased husband, Norman Dean and Mose were friends growing up. In my book “the History of Moon” the Castona families are mentioned several times. My name from Moon was Rosine and in those days we all walked home from school and got to know each other. please accept my condolances.
Doreen Zimmerman says
We here the news of Uncle Ed’s passing with great sadness. I remember the times when Uncle Ed, Aunt Lily and the whole family would come back to Wisconsin and visit, what great times we had back then. I am so thankful that my Dad (Herb) and all my Uncles were willing to risk their lives to maintain our freedoms, our lives may be much different if they were not so brave. May the many memories you have of your father guide you through the days ahead, what a life well lived. God Bless – Doreen & Dennis (Mosinee WI)
Louis Oertel says
My mother’s maiden name was Leona Castona. Ed was my Uncle. I was about 8 years old when I met Ed at my my mother’s house. I am now 71 , married 50 years to my wife Sharon. Our daughter, Vicky, is married to James Wozniczka. They have 2 sons, Josh, 26 and Cody, 22. Our son, Chris, is married to Deanna Taggart. They have 3 children. Kyle Oertel 21, Nicole Oertel 24, and Britney Taggart, 26. My family will be very impressed to know their Great Uncle was a WWII Veteran and had earned so many medals. Our sincere sympathy. The Mosinee Times obituary was a beautiful tribute to him.
Donna (Oertel) Dehnel and Larry Dehnel says
My mother was Leona (Castona) Oertel. Ed was my uncle. I was very sad to hear of Uncle Ed’s death but so glad that you put the obituary in the Wausau, WI newspaper. Reading that obituary brought back so many memories of Uncle Ed’s visits at my Mother’s house. I also visited your family in Montana some years ago with my Mom and my husband Larry Dehnel. My children Jeff and Lisa and my grandson Kyle are very happy to have this record as a review of their Great Uncle’s service in World War 11. Our family sends it’s sympathy to your family.
Nancy Foley says
To the family of Edward J. Castona. My family sends their deepest sympathy to you. Our thoughts and prayers goes out to you. John 5:29
T. Kelly says
I recently read about the loss of your dear loved one. Although we are not acquainted personally, please accept my condolences. Losing a dear loved one can leave a very empty space in one’s life. Please find strength, hope, and comfort in the God of Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4).