Julius Gostel

Julius Gostel VIRGINIA BEACH - Retired U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer 3 Julius "Gus" Gostel, 93, formerly of Norfolk, died Nov. 10, 2010 in Virginia Beach. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn Morgan Gostel, his parents, a brother and a sister. The son of Austrian immigrants, he was born April 13, 1917, in New York City and grew up in Miami. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression and enlisted in the Navy in 1937. On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941 he was a signalman second class on duty in the Navy Signal Tower at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. He saw action throughout World War II, participated in the invasion of North Africa, the battles of Tarawa, Saipan and Iwo Jima and supported other Pacific island campaigns. He was a long-time member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, the USS Terror shipmates group and other Navy-related organizations. After retiring, Mr. Gostel operated an insurance agency in Norfolk. He was an active member of Norview United Methodist Church for 50 years and most recently attended Virginia Beach United Methodist. He was a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Khedive Temple, the Sojourners and the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. For many years he was active in Boy Scouting and received the Silver Beaver award for outstanding service. Mr. Gostel is survived by four sons, retired U.S. Navy Capt. SC Julius Gostel Jr. and wife Barbara of Viera, Fla., Keith T. Gostel and wife Sheree of Quinton, R. Mark Gostel of Portsmouth and John A. Gostel and wife Mary of Fairfax, and one daughter, Melinda G. Forbes and husband Curtis of Virginia Beach. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Paige Forbes and Matthew, Andrew, Felix, Morgan, Melissa, Harley, Laura, Robbie and U.S. Navy Lt. JG Christopher R. Gostel; and five great-grandchildren, Camryn, Meghan, Amanda, Cullen and Virginia Gostel. The family extends appreciation to the kind-hearted and dedicated caregivers of Medi Home Health & Hospice and of Clare Bridge of Virginia Beach Estates. A memorial service will be Nov. 22 at 11 a.m. at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, 2002 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Mr. Gostel will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Association.