HORNELL – On Wednesday May 25, 2022 on the brink of dawn, 5:15 a.m. in Elmira, NY, Rev. Dr. Philip J. Casterline, a creative spirit, returned to his own creator after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer that can only be described as unbelievably heroic.
With joy he was reunited with many who have gone before him including his mother, Virginia (Lester) Johnson; father, Albert Sadekoski Sr.; his grandparents, William and Amy Bartle and Joe & Josephine Sadekowski; siblings, Pat Gena, Karen Button, Danny (Cindy) Johnson, Peggy Johnson; beloved mother and father-in-law, Rose and Art Carpenter; and brother-in-law, Bobby Carpenter.
Left to celebrate and mourn first and foremost is the absolute love of his life, his travel companion to over a dozen countries and nearly every state, his muse, his project manager, and his bride of over 57 years (married on September 28 1964) Marcia Ann (Carpenter) Casterline; his children who were the very beat of his creative heart, the pride and joy of his life, the culmination of his dreams and the evidence of a life dedicated to the love of God and others; daughter, Rev. Phylmarie and her husband Rev. Walter Weister of Atlanta GA; son, John Casterline and wife Stephanie of Pittsburgh PA; son, Tony Casterline and Mindy Frye, of Charlotte NC, Rev. Laura and Dave Kenyon of Big Flats, NY, Laurie McDaniels of Canisteo, NY
With 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, it is no wonder Grandpa had a special place in his heart for children. Always willing to look them in the eye, get on their level, be silly and take them seriously. With an abundance of patience to both teach and create collaboratively. Whether it be art, music, an idea or new fun vocabulary, he was always looking to share an experience that would both help cultivate what he saw in those in his care and that he too would grow from a self-made scholar who returned to school in later adulthood to become a national dean’s list scholar his deep curiosity was a gift he imbued to everyone. Grateful for a grandpa like this are, Rev. Kelly Weister and her three children, Evalise, Miralina, & Elaeora (Brandon Petaccio), John Castertline III and his wife Nichole and child, Conner, Rachel Blank and her husband Walter and children, Abby and Lincoln Blank, Emily, Tom, Jett, Jaxon, London and Gianna Casterline, Emily and Dillon Kenyon, Joshua, Jullian and Matthew Sullivan, Kristina and BJ Buckmaster.
Many siblings and special loved ones and friends are left to celebrate him today, David Casterline, Duane (Peggy) Sadekoski, Ruth Sadekoski, Les (Diane) Johnson, George Johnson, Ricky Johnson Sr., Kevin Johnson, Mary Hawkes Bell, Doreen (Chuck) Pruttsman, Laura Kissar, Connie (Pete) McDaniels, Joanne Carpenter, Sam and Noemi Lopez; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.
Most important to his legacy are the countless spiritual sons and daughters and the generations of spiritual children that follow from 52 years of ministry after his undeniable shift from long haired, pot smoking Hippie to a man of God after hearing the voice of the Lord at Foster-Wheeler that day, half a century ago. His ministry included 42 years as the founding Pastor of Living Waters Church in Hornell NY where his passion for developing the gifts of EVERY SINGLE member led to several church plants, 40 years of prison and jail ministry with a special connection to the Steuben County Jail where he lead services twice a month for decades. Over 60 Pastors and ministers developed their calling as there was nothing he loved more than “Preach the Word and get Souls Saved.”
The family will greet relatives and friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday (May 28, 2022) at the Living Waters Church, 1737 Southyard Road, Hornell where a funeral service will take place beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday. Private committal services and interment will be at Rural Cemetery, Hornell for the immediate family only.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Living Waters Church, P.O. Box 152, Hornell, NY 14843 (envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the church) or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to assist the Pastor’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances are welcome on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home or at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
