Russell Long Castle

Mr. Russell L. Castle, 94, died Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Homewood Short Term Rehabilitation in Frederick, Maryland. He was born on September 15, 1930 in Frederick.

He was the son of the late Emma Louise Moore. He was raised by his grandparents, Albert and Anna (Main) Castle, on a farm along New Design Road just outside of Frederick. He married the love of his life, Marilyn L. Crum, on December 19, 1953. They would have celebrated their seventy-first wedding anniversary the week of his death. He graduated from Frederick High School in 1950 where he played baseball and
football. Later in life, he attended Frederick Community College, earning a certificate in Park Management in 1980 and an Associate Degree in 1982.

During his thirty-eight years of service with the City of Frederick, Russell worked in a variety of capacities. At the time of his retirement, he was the Superintendent of Streets and Parks. He was a valued employee because of his knowledge of various trades, as well as his awareness of the city's history. He had wonderful interpersonal skills and was well-liked and respected by fellow employees. He was always striving to do the best job with the least amount of resources; he was known for getting the most out of the taxpayer's dollars! Russell was honored as an Outstanding Past Employee, and a proclamation was signed by the Mayor of Frederick designating February 27, 1998 as Mr. Russell Castle Day in the City of Frederick.

In addition to his career with the City of Frederick, he was a proud member of the Maryland National Guard, 115th Infantry, 29th Division. While a member of the National Guard, he was recognized as an accomplished sharpshooter. Throughout his service, he was deployed during times of civil unrest in our nation's history. He retired with more than twenty years of service from the Maryland National Guard as a Sergeant First Class. He was a life member of Cresap’s Rifles, Post 78, 29th Division Association. After retiring from the City of Frederick, he spent his days working on his farm, taking care of grandchildren, traveling with his wife, and helping others. Well into his late eighties, it was not unusual to find him tending to the farm, taking care of the horses, plowing snow, or driving a tractor. He was a man of few words, but cared deeply for his
family, friends, and all that he met.

Throughout his Christian life he served the church as a trustee and various other positions. His church home for the past 40 years was Emmanuel Alliance Church, now known as New Design Church.

He is survived by his wife of seventy years, Marilyn L. (Crum) Castle; two children, Eugene Castle and wife Dorothy of Frederick, and Mari Lynn Stalnaker and husband Paul of Myersville; grandchildren Bekki Castle, Zach Castle, Brandon Crockett, Joshua Stalnaker (Rachel), and Jacob Stalnaker (Sarah); great-grandchildren Caitlin Long, Chase Long, Calissa Bracken, and Raelyn Castle. He is also survived by his sister
Emma LaBee Ragan, sisters-in-law Helen Moore and Dolly Crum, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by his brother Kenneth Moore, brothers-in-law Charles Crum and Paul Crum, and sister-in-law Francis Crum.

All services for Russell Castle will be held on Saturday, December 21, at New Design Church, 7102 Ladd Lane, Frederick, Maryland 21703. A viewing and visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m., which will be followed by a service at 11:00 a.m. and a graveside service at Mount Olivet Cemetery immediately following the funeral. All are welcome to attend a luncheon at New Design Church following the interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Future Faith Campaign at New Design Church. https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/128792

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39