Sr. June Casterton, SFP

Casterton, Sr. June, SFP

Sister June Casterton, 78, gently passed into the heart of God on Holy Saturday, April 8, 2023 after facing the challenge of brain cancer. She was the second child of four, born to the late Cory and Emma Eiter Casterton on February 28, 1945 in Waukegan, IL. Born with a sensory loss of hearing, her parents encouraged June to fit in rather than stand out with her loss. June, in turn, learned to be assertive, entertained herself with reading and using her intellect in full measure. In her childhood, the family relocated to Daytona Beach, FL where she developed a love and appreciation for her siblings amid the beauty of sand and ocean. After high school, June pursued further education at Florida Atlanta University where she obtained a Bachelor’s in Arts and a Master’s in Psychology. Prior to joining the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor in August of 1975, June worked as an Employment Counselor.

After completing her Formation, June made Final Profession on April 17,1982. She went on to pursue Clinical Pastoral Education and became a hospital chaplain, serving some ten years at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Dayton, OH. She obtained an additional MA in Religious Studies from Mount St. Mary Seminary and eventually became the Director of Pastoral Services at St. Elizabeth’s. Because of her skills in organization and ability at creative thinking, Sr. June became the Vice-President of Mission for the Franciscan Health Partnership, a national health care network, where she served for ten years.

Sr. June was also involved with the Leadership needs of the Sisters in the United States and served as a Councilor for three terms, a total of twelve years.

Because of her own hearing loss, Sr. June initiated the first Self Help for Hard of Hearing People support group in Dayton. She was recognized as a Woman of the Year by the Dayton Daily News for her efforts for the hearing impaired. As Sr. June’s hearing loss progressed, she obtained bilateral cochlear implants. Again, she reached out to others, with similar hearing challenges on a personal and support group level. What society had labeled as a handicap, Sr. June took on as a life challenge.

She was actively engaged at St. Clare Parish serving on the Parish Council and coordinating the Interfaith Hospitality Network, offering temporary housing to homeless families. For several years, Sr. June was involved with being a Guardian advocating for seniors in nursing facilities in Cincinnati.

Most recently, Sr. June had been involved as Coordinator of the Franciscan Peddler Thrift Shop, a sponsored ministry of the Congregation that raises funds for local outreach ministries in Cincinnati.
Over the past two years, as her health gradually declined, Sr. June witnessed to the ultimate act of
self- surrender. Sr. June was a healer in life, as well as death, as she donated her body to UC Medical School for future healers.

Sr. June leaves behind her fellow Sisters, the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, her siblings Susan Leorza, Mike and Jim Casterton along with their families, also many friends and associates. The Liturgy of Resurrection will occur on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at 10am in St. Clare Chapel, 60 Compton Road.

The Liturgy will also be livestreamed via Facebook at Franciscan Sisters of the Poor/U.S. Area. 
In lieu of flowers, kindly direct donations to Franciscan Ministries, 110 Compton Road, Cincinnati, OH 45215.