Clarence "Clay" Gastler, 94, of Wellsville, passed away on Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Aspire Senior Living in New Florence where he had resided for a short time.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Myers Funeral Home in Wellsville with Jim Lowry officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in the Wellsville Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday from 1 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.

Clay was born in Wellsville on April 4, 1931. He was the son of Carl and Martha (Kleinsorge) Gastler. On December 4, 1954, in Haverton, Pennsylvania, he married Marjorie E. Stuart who preceded him in death on July 7, 2018.

Clay grew up on a farm outside of Wellsville. He was a 1952 graduate of Wellsville High School. He was one of the first of his family to complete his schooling. He came from a family of hard workers which instilled a strong work ethic in him that he carried throughout his entire life. He loved working and spent his spare time tinkering and working on just about anything. He often was working on and fixing things for others. He also added an addition on to the family home, doing all the work himself which he took great pride in. He also enjoyed gardening and traveling. He and Marjorie traveled the world, visiting many historic places, including visiting family in France several times.

He served his community as well serving as an Alderman for Wellsville for many years. He was a member of the American Legion. He previously was a member of the First Baptist Church of Wellsville and most recently was a member of First Baptist Church of Mexico. He had served as a Deacon at both. His main passion in his life was his faith, and he lived his faith out by always putting Jesus first.

Survivors include one son, Ted Gastler (Sherry), of Montgomery City; one daughter, Laurie McAllister, of Columbia; five grandchildren, Ryan McAllister (Erica), of Hallsville, Katelyn Swafford (Jake), of Columbia, Sierra Gastler, of Columbia, Kelli McAllister, of Columbia, and Hailey Gastler, of Springfield; six great grandchildren, Shelbee Gifford, Teddy Jeffries, Connor and Mason McAllister, Petal Vanderpool, and Jackson Swafford.

In addition to his wife Marjorie, he was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Melvin and Charlie Gastler, four sisters, Leona Drier, Eunice Eck, Ada Wylie, and Norma Weisenborn; and one son-in-law, John McAllister.

Memorials are suggested to Crossworld (designated to Walt and Pat Stuart). They may be sent in care of Myers Funeral Home, 203 E. Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.