“I talk to the schools. I talk to anyone who will let me in…if they will let me in the door, I will talk to them.” Eileen Gast speaking about her then, 21 years of volunteer work for the American Red Cross and their Blood Mobile.
“Mrs. Red Cross”, passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. She was 87.
She was born on April 23, 1923, at the Marion Hospital the daughter of the late Grover and Edna (Kreis) Mitton.
Eileen was a member of the Marion community her entire life and was a graduate of Marion Harding High School.
On January 24, 1943 she married James A. Gast. They were married for 49 years before his passing on May 18, 1992. Together, Eileen and James lovingly raised 2 sons.
While helping others and volunteering were always in her blood, Eileen really accepted her role within the Marion Community after the death of her husband. She immersed herself within the Red Cross culture and at one point, after 22 years of service, had logged over 10,000 hours of volunteer work. Her responsibilities included working all 50 blood mobiles during the year, mopping floors, and serving her third term as deputy chairman. “I did every job and task they have, and have come through the ranks,” she said.
She spoke to middle schools when pupils studied blood in health classes. She was in charge of typing blood at various health fairs and served on the prison committee, which oversees a chapter at Marion Correctional Institute. She was also trained in disaster relief and helped out the residents of Prospect when a summer flood unexpectedly hit the area. Eileen was even on call, carrying a pager when needed.
In addition to her Red Cross work, Eileen served on the board of the Marion County Council on Aging, volunteered as a member of Marion General Hospital Senior Services’ advisory council and as a liaison to church for Love Inc.
A woman of great faith, Eileen was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church. She was an active member, serving as a Sunday school teacher, a bible study teacher, and a lay leader.
Her family will remember her as a character, recalling her sharp wit and sarcastic humor.
She will be missed by her sons and their wives Col. James C. Gast and his wife Cecelia of Sherwood, Arkansas and Stephen L. Gast and his wife Carole of Westerville; 2 granddaughters Tina (Jim) Harris of Marion, Arkansas and Erin Gast of Powell; 2 great granddaughters Anna and Lucy Harris; a sister Ardith Mitton of Columbus and a Brother Richard Mitton of Toledo.
In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by three brothers Lowell, Merlin, and Paul Mitton.
Friends may call on the family on Friday, January 7, 2011 from 4-7 PM at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 241 South Prospect Street, Marion. Pastor Kevin Kehn will conduct services there on Saturday at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow in Marion Cemetery.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to the church or the American Red Cross and envelopes will be available at the church.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Gast family.
Those wishing to express private condolences to Eileen's family can do so at www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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