Fred Weir Castles, Jr.

Mr. Fred Weir Castles, Jr., of Chester, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at home surrounded by family. He was 89 years old. Born on January 24, 1936, he was the son of the late Fred Weir Castles, Sr. and Lillie Hall Castles. A Celebration of Life will be held 3:00 PM Sunday, March 16, 2025, at First Baptist Church, Lowrys with Pastor David Nalley and Rev. Michael Shaffer officiating. Visitation will also be at the church from 2:00 PM until service time. Interment will be in Zion Cemetery, Lowrys. He graduated from Central High School in Charlotte, NC in 1954 and attended North Carolina State University. From there, he joined the United States Air Force and served for four years. That is where he met his wife, Marlene Holsten Castles, they were married for 57 years until Marlene’s death in 2016. He spent his last years with his loving fiancée, Jean Howell. He is survived by his three children, Lori Castles Settlemyer (Kerry) of Watkinsville, GA; Fred Weir Castles, III (Autumn) of Chester; and Kandice Castles Ferrandino (Paul) of St. Charles, IL. Also survived by nine grandchildren: Megan May, Drew Settlemyer. Ashley Settlemyer, Mason Machuca, Christian Ferrandino, Julia Ferrandino, Alex Ferrandino, Nick Ferrandino, Ashton Ferrandino and 13 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and Brother-in-law, Bobby Phillips. Fred was preceded in death by his sister, Dathene Castles Phillips. After working as a businessman in many parts of the country, he relocated to the family farm in Lowrys in 1974 and loved working as a farmer in the beef and forest industry. He was very active in the Chester Lions Club where he was the President for many years and was District Governor from 1987-1988. He also served as past council chair person of the Lions Club in 1987 and 1993. He served as a Chester County Councilman for many years and was one of the founding members of the Lowrys Christmas Parade where he and Marlene “rang the bell” for 41 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Lowrys where he served as a deacon and enjoyed teaching the men’s Sunday School Class. He also started the Syah Club where he and Marlene served and cared for the shut-ins at Lowrys Baptist. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Chester Lions Club. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.