Raymond Gillette Cassell, 94, of Wellington, died Thursday morning at the Elms Retirement Village after a long illness. He was born on April 20, 1920 in Huntington to the late Richard and Ethel (nee Gillette) Cassell. Raymond was a 1937 graduate of Wellington High School and was the class Valedictorian. Following graduation he attended Baldwin Wallace and then served his country in the United States Navy during WWII. Raymond was stationed on the USS Kitkun Bay CVE-71, a small aircraft carrier, as a quartermaster on the Pacific Front.
Raymond worked for the Wellington School district as Business manager and Clerk Treasurer; he went on to work for Dayton Schools and for the Brunswick City Schools as well. Raymond was very involved with his community and was an active member of the Kiwanis Club, the Ruritan, and the Huntington Historical Society. He was also a member of the Wellington United Methodist Church and the Homerville United Methodist Church. Raymond was a founding member of the Spencer American Legion. He was instrumental in founding the Medina County Federal Credit Union and was one of the original board members; he also served as the chairman of the board for many years. Raymond enjoyed spending time in his garden, or reading to keep up with current events, including following the weather. He kept a daily journal for much of his life and enjoyed writing poetry.
Survivors include his children Fred (Teri) Cassell of Elyria and Nancy (Chris) Hannon of Bay View; 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Raymond was preceded in death by his loving wife Sara (nee Funk) in 2010.
Friends and family will be received on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 South Main Street, Wellington, where services will be held on Monday beginning at 11 a.m. with Pastor Pat Edington officiating. Burial will take place at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery with Military Rites. Condolences may be expressed online at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.
Cemetery Details
Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery
Rittman, OH,
Visitation
FEB 8. 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Norton-Eastman Funeral Home
370 South Main Street
Wellington, OH, 44090
Funeral Service
FEB 9. 11:00 AM
Norton-Eastman Funeral Home
370 South Main Street
Wellington, OH, 44090