Rodney Casleton
Rodney Casleton, age 64, of the Illinois Veterans Home, formerly of DuQuoin, IL died on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 8:00 PM in the Home. He was born on January 8, 1948 in Canton, IL the son of George and Betty (Craig) Casleton. Rodney worked as a security guard. He was a Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War. Rodney enjoyed helping people and volunteered at the Illinois Veterans Home. He was of the Baptist Faith. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles.
He is survived by:
FOUR SIBLINGS: Connie Holtkamp and her husband Gary of Edwardsville, IL; Debbie Heil and her husband Jon of Granite City, IL; Wade Casleton and his wife Lori of Benton, Arkansas, and Ginger Keeton and her husband Randy of Waynesville, MO.
Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. in the All Faiths Chapel of the Illinois Veterans Home. Interment in Sunset Cemetery with military rites conducted at the cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday morning at the All Faiths Chapel from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the services. Memorials may be made to the Illinois Veteran’s Home Activities Fund. The Duker & Haugh Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Our sympathies go out to you all, Connie, Debbie, Wade, Ginger and families. Rodney was a special man. He loved talking to his Uncle Ray, and they called each other frequently in the years before Dad died. It is comforting to know that a telephone is no longer needed, and Rodney is in the presence of Uncle George, Aunt Betty and all his loved ones who have gone before, and most importantly, his Lord. In this world there is distance between us, and unfortunately we lose touch with relatives with whom we share so many happy memories of days gone by. One day we will all be together for the ultimate family reunion! Love you all,
Lisa
I Love you! That’s all. Rodney enjoyed a simple life. He loved people, the Cardinals, and a good meal (especially a good steak or meatloaf like Mom’s). He always took time to greet others around him with a smile on his face. If he didn’t already know a person’s name, he would ask their name and he would remember it! He loved to laugh and tell jokes to make others laugh! He was never shy about saying “Hi” to someone new and saying a few kind words to them. He was always concerned about others and wanting to help if he could. Rodney worked as an escort at the Veteran’s Home. He would accompany and assist disabled veterans to doctor’s appointments at the hospital. He loved this job and took pride in helping others and meeting new people. He also got to know many people at the hospital while doing his job. When he began his own visits to the hospital for chemo treatment, he would always search for the employees that he already knew so he could ask how they were doing! He never complained about his own illness but was always concerned about how others were doing! Even when he was in his wheelchair at the hospital, he was more concerned about helping someone else get a door open than he was about getting through the door himself! Rodney valued his social time. He frequented the Firehouse and Uncle Bob’s. He drank his diet sodas, played pool, enjoyed the company of friends, and “kept the peace” as he used to say. He also loved being a Cardinal fan in Cub country!! He really enjoyed the victory of last season!! He knew the players from past and present and even got to meet Mike Shannon along with some other Cardinals during his time at the Veteran’s Home. One of the things I appreciated most about Rodney was his willingness and desire to keep in touch with the family. So many times we take our families for granted, but he did not! He was faithful in calling his family members to see how they were doing. He never talked very long, he just wanted to check in and say “I love you! That’s all.” I will definitely miss those calls! I just hope that I will not forget what I have learned from my big brother. “Things” in this world are not what are important, people are! I want to remember to focus on the people around me and take time to smile and say “Hi”. I will also not take my family for granted! I will never forget to say “I love you. That’s all.” I am so thankful that we will all be together as a family in heaven one day because we believe in Jesus who came to this earth to die for us and rise again, and He also said “I love you! That’s all!”
you will be missed by so many.i have missed you the last two months. i have seen your smiling face everyday for 3 years. every time i pull a diet pepsi out of the cooler i think of you..your in good hands now.no more poking on you. will miss you rodney. you will never be forgotten .until we meet again ,love beverly and from all of the people at uncle bobs .you have touched our hearts…