Argil Leslie Toalston

Argil Leslie Toalston Obituary

April 1, 1927 – March 6, 2018

Argil Leslie Toalston was born on April 1, 1927 in Canton, Ohio to George Washington Toalston and Dona Edith (Nohe) Toalston. Argil was named after his mother’s brother. Argil grew up in Canton, Ohio with his sister Velma, where he attended grade school and graduated from Waco (Canton) High School at Osnaburg Township. Argil enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17, attended boot camp at Great Lakes, and underwent 16 weeks of Radar training at Hugh Manly School in Chicago and EE and RM school training Gulfport, Mississippi. His active service started June 1, 1945. After recovering from Rheumatic Fever at the Gulfport, Mississippi Naval Hospital, Argil was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy on August 6, 1946 as a disabled veteran. He then attended Ohio State University (home of the Buckeyes) in a five-year Engineering program where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. One of Argil’s professors helped him get his first professional job as a consulting engineer at Commonwealth Associates in Jackson, Michigan where he worked for twenty years. Argil then accepted a position as a civil servant and worked for the Federal Power Commission and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission starting in 1972, from which he retired on January 31, 1993.

Argil met the love of his life, Ruth Louise Piper, at Ohio State University. They were married on September 10, 1950 in Ohio and they shared 55 years of love and matrimony until her death on December 1, 2005. After their wedding, they settled in Jackson, Michigan and gave birth to two children, Cheryl Kay (Toalston) Pasewark and Michael Jay Toalston. Argil and Louise were faithful members of the First United Methodist Church. In 1972, Argil accepted a position with the Federal Power Commission in Maryland and moved his family to College Park Woods in College Park, Maryland. There they transferred their membership to the University United Methodist Church (UUMC). Argil and his wife Louise were very active members of UUMC. Argil served as a member of the United Methodist Men where he served on various committee and work projects and as a President. Argil served as an usher for many years and as Head Usher. Argil also served on the Board of Trustees. He was active in maintaining the Church grounds, included cutting the grass and a myriad of other tasks which he performed in his quiet, gentle manner.

Upon Argil’s retirement, he devoted his time between church and family. He taught his grandchildren ping pong, swimming, card games and board games. He built them a sandbox and drew pictures for them. Though most people will remember him a quiet and gentle man, he will also be remembered for his sense of humor, his smile, his friendship, his stubbornness, and his love and devotion to his family and church family. He will truly be missed.

He leaves to mourn him his children: Cheryl (Gary) Pasewark and Michael (Sandra) Toalston, five grandchildren: Steven (Bridget) Pasewark, Timothy Pasewark, Debra (David) Bacon, Kristina (Noah) Estersohn, and Eric Toalston, four great-grandchildren: Eliana, Samuel, Rachel, Asher and one expected great granddaughter this June. He will also be missed by his much-loved niece Glenda Lucas, his daughter in-law’s parents Maude and Richard Williams, many other relatives in Canton, Ohio, as well as his church family.

He is preceded in death by his parents George and Dona Toalston, his wife Louise Toalston, his daughter Sharon Bea Toalston, and his sister Velma Vermillion. 

A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, April 7, 2018, from 12pm-1pm, at University United Methodist Church, 3621 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740.         

 In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gilchrist Hospice.

2 Timothy 4:6-7 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, and I have kept the faith.”

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