Funeral: 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in the Jones-Preston Funeral Chapel

Visitation: 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Jones-Preston Funeral Chapel

Private Burial: Chandler Pack Cemetery, Stambaugh, Kentucky

Arthur "Artho" Castle, passed away at his home in Hospice care on March 10, 2023. He was born in Johnson County, Kentucky on September 27, 1931 to Arlin Castle and Lucinda (Sug) "Daniel" Castle.  He was predeceased by his wife, Earlene Pack Castle in 1990, Twin Still born daughters in 1961, his father, mother and brothers Clyde Castle, Willie Castle, Hayes Castle, and Paul Randall Castle. He grew up at Sitka, KY and was a graduate of Oil Springs High School. He was in Active service in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1954 then was a reservist and was honorably discharged in 1959.

He married Earlene Pack in September of 1956. They moved to Columbus, Ohio for short period of time, but he did not like the city life. He became home sick for his beloved mountains and his family. They returned to Johnson County and bought property in Stambaugh on KY 3387 where they lived in a log cabin with no indoor plumbing for several years. Thanks to the GI Bill, he studied at Morehead State University for a period of about 2 years while Earlene maintained the Johnson County property and worked at the Paintsville Hospital. They built a new house behind the log cabin in 1964, which Arthur planned and designed himself as he was trained as an engineering draftsman at Mayo Vocational School. He is a member of the Tom's Creek Freewill Baptist church.

Arthur was a retired Social Worker Who worked 25 Years in Martin and Johnson Counties for the Commonwealth of KY. He was a social worker in Martin County when President LB Johnson came to Martin County to declare his "War on Poverty". He worked alongside friends including Dr. Alpharetta Archer who he greatly admired. Prior to working for the state, he held numerous jobs including Coal Miner, School teacher, Librarian, Newspaper writer, Railroad Lineman, Golf course maintenance worker, and Columbus City bus driver in Columbus, Ohio.

Arthur had several hobbies which kept him busy in his retirement. Hobbies included Beekeeping, Woodworking, Banjo playing, Gardening, studying Appalachian culture and Sorghum making.

Arthur learned to make sorghum from his family after the depression in Johnson County. For many years, he grew sorghum cane then extracted the juices, boiled them down and made sorghum with his brother-in-law Ronald Pack.  Arthur set up a demonstration booth at "Kentucky Folklife Festival" in Frankfort where he explained the sorghum making process and worked with an agricultural professor from the University of Kentucky regarding his Sorghum making.  In the fall, Sorghum Making was a neighborhood event, with lots of folks coming to visit the mill and watch the process.  The local elementary schools took field trips to see the ancient art of Sorghum making at Arthur and Ronald's Mill. Everyone loved to buy the beautiful sweet sorghum still warm off the pan poured into Mason Jars.

Arthur was an avid beekeeper . He was taught by his grandfather Artho Daniel the art of Beekeeping during his childhood in the depression. He "robbed" the bees each year and sold honey to supplement his income. Arthur was also a skilled woodworker .  He loved to make Appalachian folk toys, bird houses, blanket chests, and other wood items.  He set up a booth at several local festivals, IE Apple Festival to demonstrate and sell his woodworking items. He was also a banjo player that loved to play old folk ballads and listen to old folk and country music. He was a farmer and an avid gardener supplying family, and friends with fresh produce, canned produce and dried beans on a string. He liked to experiment with unique vegetables and was always learning about the land. He loved Appalachian Culture including the history, the music, the ruggedness and independence of the people, but most of all he loved his family. He was always proud, always ready to defend them against the world.

Survivors include his brother Nathan (Minerva) Castle of Dayton, Ohio, brother Richard Castle of Sitka, KY, Daughter Diana (Bruce) Radcliffe of Lawrenceburg, KY,  Son Paul Arthur (Joy) Castle of Ashland, KY, One beloved Granddaughter Rebecca Radcliffe of Lawrenceburg, KY and many nieces, nephews and cousins who he loved dearly. He is also survived by his longtime companion and significant friend, Charlotte Jarrell who has been a great blessing to Arthur and his family.

Visitation will be held from 9 AM to Noon, with a Funeral/Celebration of Life service following at 12:15PM  Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Jones-Preston Funeral Home Chapel, 807 S Mayo Trail, Paintsville, KY 41240, Paintsville, KY. A Private Burial (Immediate Family Only) will follow immediately after the service at the Chandler-Pack Cemetery on KY 3387 in Stambaugh/Chandlersville, KY.

Arthur was an intelligent and wise man who recently became ill and never recovered. He appreciated the support and care he found with Charlotte, his family, neighbors, the Veterans Administration workers, and Hospice caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to Appalachian Hospice Care, Inc. 1414 South Mayo Trail, Pikeville, KY 41501, Email: info@apphchs.org or any other non-profit organization in his memory.

Full military honors will be conducted by Auxier Chapter 18 DAV.

Jones-Preston Funeral Home is both Honored and Privileged to be Entrusted with all funeral arrangements for Mr. Arthur "Artho" Castle.