Charles “Paul” Kostival

Charles “Paul” Kostival (77), a Chauncey boy, passed peacefully from this Earth on December 1, 2025, in his home, surrounded by his family.

Paul, born on October 5, 1948 to Andy and Martha (Knowlton) Kostival of Chauncey, Ohio, is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marguerite (Keirns) Kostival, his daughter Jill Bean (Mike), sons Kristofer (Shauna) and Paul Robert (Amy), grandchildren Drew (Courtney), Alyster, and Tyler (Stevi) White, Chad (Kirby) and Brad (Nicole) Bean, Andy and Aiden Kostival, and Kaitlyn (Will) and Connor Kostival, and great-grandchildren Nolan and Lucas White, Jude Collins-White, Ashton, Addison, Ainsley, Jace, Garrett, and Canaan Bean, and Charlie and Teddy Drabold. He is also survived by his brother and best friend David (Candy) Kostival, two sisters-in-law Regina Kranyik and Lorena Garey, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins on both the Kostival and Knowlton sides of the family. He is also survived by lifelong friends Larry Pierce, Archie Stanley, and David Kottyan. In addition to his parents, Paul is preceded in death by his daughters Peggi and Beth and dear friends Bela Kastely, Jim Blaschak, and Joe Mingus.

Paul attended St. Paul’s School and was a graduate of Chauncey-Dover High School in the class of 1966, where he was a member of the National Honors Society and varsity athlete in baseball and football. Upon graduating, Paul married Marguerite Keirns and began to raise a family.

Paul resided in Chauncey, Ohio for much of his life and was a leader and mentor in his community and a coach to many. Prior to a career with Columbia Gas, and later Utility Technologies International, Paul owned and operated the Kostival Shell service station in The Plains. Upon retiring, Paul purchased what would become the “family farm” outside of Athens. Paul dedicated much of his later life to making this property a legacy that would endure for his family. Through farming, conservation, forestry, and habitat creation for wildlife, Paul created a space for his family, and generations to come, to call home, and fulfilled his wishes for the use of the land.

An avid outdoorsman, Paul enjoyed much time hunting, fishing, clay target shooting, and time with his dogs. Paul also coached youth baseball and football in Chauncey and high school football and trap shooting at Athens High School.

Paul was a devoted servant of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church and Christ the King University Parish. Paul was also a loving husband, father, and grandparent. He cherished time spent with his family, attending sporting events and milestones in the lives of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Paul lived a life devoted to his faith, his family, his friends, and his land. He will be sorely missed by those in his life and welcomed home by those that passed before him.

Visitation will be held at Hughes Funeral Home on Thursday, December 4th between 4:00 - 7:00 PM, followed by a Mass at St. Paul’s Catholic Church on Friday, December 5th at 11:00 AM With Father Don Horace and Father Mark Moore officiating. A luncheon provided by the Catholic Women’s Club will follow the Mass. Paul will be buried at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Athens.

Paul’s family would like to thank the staff at Kimes Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the OhioHealth Home Care and Hospice Care teams for their loving and dedicated care during Paul’s final stages of life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Christ the King Renovation Project 25 Stewart Street, Athens, Ohio 45701.