Harold Ray Gashel

Mr. Harold Ray Gashel, 92, of Claysville, passed away Monday, March 11, 2024, of natural causes, in Washington Hospital. He was known to everyone by “Ray” and had recently resided in Strabane Trails Village in Washington. He was born December 4, 1931, in Claysville, a son of the late Lee Gashel and Lillian Montgomery Gashel. Mr. Gashel was a 1950 graduate of Claysville High School and a 1952 graduate of Penn Commercial. He served in the U.S. Army as a corporal from 1952 to 1954. Mr. Gashel was employed at the family business, Lee Gashel and Sons, where he managed the retail end of the business. He was a member of the American Legion Hunt-Kennedy Post #639 in Claysville, where he was awarded and recognized for 50 years of service for playing the trumpet at parades and funerals. He was to be honored later this year for 70 years of service. Mr. Gashel was past president of the Washington Grocer Association and treasurer of Knights of Columbus of Immaculate Conception Church in Washington. Mr. Gashel was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Church of St. James Parish in Claysville. He enjoyed travelling, especially cruises, coin collecting, and dancing with his wife. Mr. Gashel met his wife, Nanciann, and was married for 62 plus years, prior to her passing on November 7, 2020. Surviving are a son, David C. (Joyce) Dubelle; a brother, Wilbur (Brenda) Gashel; grandchildren Lauren (Bryon) Beach and Chelsea Dubelle; great-grandchildren Sawyer and Silas Beach; a cousin, Jean Sheperd; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased, in addition to his wife and parents, are three brothers, Kenneth, Louis and Fred Gashel. Friends will be received from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Washington, with Father Ed Yuhas, as celebrant. Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the Claysville American Legion and the Claysville Fire Department. A special thank you to the Caring Mission, Strabane Trails, and Concordia Health Care, who provided Mr. Gashel with generous care.