ARRC Member Mike Costill Dies at 78

Long time Akron Railroad Club member Michael Jon Costill, 78, died on Tuesday in Akron City Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in Akron on Sept. 28, 1943, he was the son of James L and Magdelene (Mitchell) Costill.

He graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School in 1961, briefly attended Kent State University and then began working at BF Goodrich. For most of his career Mr. Costill specialized in software and computer science.

His work took him to Columbus in 1989 where he worked for Nationwide Insurance Company, from which he retired. He also served in the Ohio Army National Guard.

After retirement Mr. Costill moved back to the Akron area in 2013.

He was a member of Sts. Philip and James Catholic Church in Canal Fulton and played softball for Akron Monument & Granite in the Silver League.

Mr. Costill had a lifelong passion for trains and liked to collect all things railroad. He joined the Akron Railroad Club on Feb. 28, 1975.

He spent many hours doing volunteer work at the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum in Sugarcreek doing a range of duties from giving tours to helping with restoration work on the steam locomotives.

Mr. Costill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Darlene (Spinelli); a daughter Mary Beth (Dr. William) Costill-Fullam; a son Michael (Sunny) Costil; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Jane (David) Warner.

Services will be held at a later date with interment planned at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron.

Memorials made be made to Sts. Philip and James Parish, or the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation in memory of his sister.

AOS Honors 2 Volunteers

The Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum has honored two men by naming them to receive the Volunteer of the Year Award and Master Mechanic’s Award.

Akron Railroad Club member Mike Costill of Canal Fulton won the mechanic’s award while the volunteer award went to Matt Arnold of Bolivar.

Costill is a regular member of the back-shop team and was a longtime friend of museum the late Jerry J. Jacobson.

A news release issued by the museum said Costill is often at the roundhouse for regular hours and has helped with numerous projects.

Arnold was recognized for his work as a videographer and digital media volunteer.

He contributed to several short social media videos and other virtual media during the spring and summer when the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the museum’s focus away from on-site programming and events.

ARRC Hopes to Be Able to Meet in June

The Akron Railroad Club will not meet in May, but still hopes to conduct a meeting on June 26.

The club has not met since February due to social distancing restrictions imposed by the State of Ohio in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The ARRC is awaiting notification by the New Horizons Christian Church as to the availability of the social hall where the club normally meets.

The church is closed during the pandemic and has been conducting its Sunday services online.

If the June meeting is held the program will be a slide show presented by Mike Costil titled Surprise.

It will consist of railroad images made between the late 1950s and early 1970s.

If the June meeting is canceled, the program may be rescheduled in July or August.

ARRC officers remain unsure if the club will be able to meet during the summer.