Albert L. Castelli, 95, a longtime resident of Detroit & Waterford, Michigan, as well as Huntsville, Alabama passed away on Friday, June 12, 2015 at the Manteno Illinois VA Home. He had last resided with his daughter in Mahomet, Illinois until he went to spend his last months at the VA Home.

He was born on March 4, 1920 to George and Carmella Castelli in their home in Detroit, Michigan. Al married his High School sweetheart Shirley Tower in Detroit on September 20, 1941. She preceded him in death in 1993. He was also preceded in death by his parents George and Carmella Castelli, his two brothers Ralph and Robert, and his sister Dorothy Jackson. Albert is survived by his son David (Mitzi) Castelli, his daughter Cheryl (Roger) Odle, seven grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.

Al graduated from Northwestern High School in Detroit, Michigan, and went on to get his Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate from Wayne State University. He was a talented musician and played the Clarinet & Saxophone. He was in the All Detroit High School Marching Band and had a music scholarship to attend Wayne State University. His education was interrupted by WWII. The first assignment was entertaining troops state side. then he led convoys delivering supplies, ammunition and equipment in England. Based on repeated requests to get in, "the action", he was assigned to a Long Range Artillery Unit in Germany and ended the war there. After returning to the US and completing his education and starting his work life he was called back for the Korean Conflict to train troops. He retired from the Army after 20 years of active & reserve duty as a Captain in the Army.

His working life focused on education. He was a Teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal in Detroit. He completed his doctorate in his 50's and got a job as a Professor at Alabama A & M, in Huntsville, Alabama. He retired from that job many years later and worked as an Army test validator for the troops at Fort McClellan and Redstone Arsenal in Alabama.

Community involvement was very important to Al. He was active and held many leadership positions in the Detroit Players, Elks, Optimists, MOAA, Red Cross, and Toastmasters. We have probably left something out. There are boxes and boxes of plaques and awards that he received throughout his lifetime. He was actively involved in Church wherever he lived. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Detroit, First United Methodist Church of Huntsville, Alabama, First United Methodist Church of Champaign, Illinois, and attend Grace Church of Mahomet, Illinois with his daughter.

Al led a long and well-lived life. He leaves this world a better place for his having been in it. He will be missed and remembered with great affection by his family and all who knew him. He now has his final reward in Heaven. God Bless You Al Castelli.

Visitation Wednesday 5-8pm at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd.(between Cherry Hill and Ford Rd.) Funeral Service Thursday at Roseland Park Cemetery.