Mary Katherine “Kathy” Gast of Grace Village Retirement Community of Winona Lake, passed away at 7:05 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015, at the age of 87.

She was a resident of Kosciusko County, for the past four years where she was a member of the Salvation Army Auxiliary of Warsaw. Kathy retired from Tippecanoe Valley School after 14 years of service. She enjoyed cooking, gardening golf and cards. She was of Methodist faith and also enjoyed attending services at the Chapel of Grace Village Retirement Community. Her main aim in life was to be a good wife and mother…which she accomplished!

Kathy was born on Oct. 5, 1928, in Fulton County, to Walter D. Townsend and Mary Elizabeth (Wheadon) Townsend. On May 25, 1950 she was married to Charles Edison Gast, who passed away on April 29, 1995.

She will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters: Charla (Kim) Stoneking, Sheridan; Mary Beth (Bill) Sellers, Warsaw; two sons: Greg (Mary) Gast, Akron; Doug (Scarlett) Gast, Warsaw; stepson: Rev. Chip (Paula) Gast, Warsaw. Also surviving are ten grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Norma (Gene) Vedder, Rochester; Donna (Raymond) Overlander, Pendleton; Carol Ann Bradway, Rochester; brother: Jack (Wanda) Townsend, Rochester; and her very dear friend: Esther May, Claypool.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two brothers: Robert and Harold Townsend; and one great-grandson: Silas Gast.

Visitation will be held from noon until 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. Her memorial service will be conducted following visitation at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Chaplain Bryan Benjamin and Reverend Richard Anderson. Burial will be at a later date at Akron Cemetery of Akron.

Memorial donations may be directed to Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice, Warsaw, and would be appreciated by the family.