Ethel Parker Wildman Gast (nee Wildman)

Ethel Parker Wildman Gast, a long-time resident of Lebanon, Ohio and a former resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Hamilton, Ohio passed away in Powell, Ohio on January 16, 2020 at the age of 90 years. Ethel was born on November 11, 1929 in Hamilton, Ohio to Alexander James Wildman and Julia Parker Wildman. She was raised in Hamilton and graduated from Hamilton High School in 1947 and from Miami University in 1951 with a degree in English Literature. At Miami she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. On June 16, 1951 Ethel married her high school classmate and the love of her life, Park Walter Gast, Jr. Park joined the Air Force and they were stationed several places before returning to Cincinnati, Ohio. Their 3 daughters were born between 1955 and 1959. The Gasts moved to Lebanon, Ohio in 1971 and established Redwing Farm. Ethel’s life work was as a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, and community volunteer. In Cincinnati, Ethel led her daughters’ Camp Fire Girl groups and taught Sunday school. She volunteered weekly as an office worker for the International Visitors’ Center, and also offered her family as a host family. Ethel also loved animals, and probably her most impactful role outside of the family was co-founding the Warren County Humane Association. Ethel loved to read, a love she passed on to all of her daughters, and in Lebanon she joined both the Women’s Literary Society and also a more informal Book Club where she made a number of compatible friends. She was also a long time member of the Seed and Weed Garden Club, part of the Lebanon Council of Garden Clubs. Particularly during her empty nest years, Ethel was active in women’s groups and the prayer ministry at Lebanon Presbyterian Church. She served as a Deacon at LPC and volunteered with Park for Interfaith Hospitality Network during its founding years. Ethel will be sadly missed by her husband of 68 years, Park W. Gast, her daughters Margaret (Daniel) Cunningham, Jane (Dale Martin) Gast, and Carolyn (Michael) Neeley, and her grandchildren Marvin (Jessamyn Myers) Cunningham, Emily (Brett) Nichols, Scott (Ashley) Neeley, Trisha (Randy) Jackson, and Christina Martin. She also leaves nine great grandchildren, a cousin Jean (Chuck) Mears, two sisters-in-law Susan Wildman and Virginia (Phillip) Hasluck, several nieces and nephews, and many friends. She was predeceased by her parents Alexander James Wildman and Julia Parker Wildman, and her brother Alexander James Wildman II. A memorial service will be held at Lebanon Presbyterian Church on Saturday, February 8. Visitation will begin at 10 AM, the memorial service will be at 11 AM, and a lunch reception will follow. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Warren County Humane Association, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Ethel Parker Wildman Gast (nee Wildman)

November 11, 1929 - January 16, 2020