Francis W. Gastel (Frank), 86, of Lewes, DE, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.  He was born in Baltimore, MD on May 29, 1937, son of the late Ottmar J. Gastel and the late Catherine M. Gastel.

Frank retired from Giant Food, Inc., working there for 39 years.  He worked his way up from clerk to Delicatessen and Dairy Manager.  He was active in volunteer work for the National Federation of the Blind, American Legion Post 28, and Indian River Volunteer Fire Company (IRVFC).  He served on four committees in The Woods on Herring Creek community.  He was a member of the German Society of Maryland, the Shore-Line Garden Railroad Club, and the Jim Beam Bottle Club.  He enjoyed polka dancing at Blobs Park and running his trains at the Dover Air Force Base Museum from November to January.  His hobbies included collecting Jim Beam bottles, German beer steins, LGB and Lionel trains, and coins.

Frank enjoyed meeting people in social situations and working with them in service efforts.  He especially liked discussing Baltimore history and his experiences in traveling in Germany.

Frank is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Karen A. Gastel, and sisters, Joan Gastel and Peggy Wilson; and nieces and nephews, Ann and Pete Hallet, Lee and Robert Edwards, Bill and Cindy Taylor, Joe and Rita Taylor, Ernest Taylor, John and Donna Taylor, Leonard Wilson, and Christopher Wilson; and many grandnieces and grandnephews.  Frank's sister, Mary Magdeline Taylor, and his niece, Catherine Louise Steele are deceased.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company in Oak Orchard on Saturday, April 6, 2024, starting at 1:00 PM, followed by a luncheon.  The address is 32628 Oak Orchard Road, Millsboro, DE  19966.  Please call Judith Woods at 302-249-9447 or Bill Ettinger at 302-604-4814 if you plan to attend and wish to stay for the luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to IRVFC 32628 Pak Orchard Rd. Millsboro, DE. 19966  (or the ladies' auxiliary) or the Rehoboth Beach Ambulance Company 219 Rehoboth Ave. Rehoboth Beach DE, 19971 in memory of Francis W. Gastel.