Adam Kassal

Adam Kassal, 83, passed away Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, surrounded by his family at his home in Jackson.

He was born Sept. 8, 1932, in Yugoslavia to Josef and Louise Stemer Kassal. He was raised in Austria and came to the United States in 1952.

It was in Chicago that he met the love of his life, Elizabeth "Betty" Preisig. They were married Sept. 12, 1953, at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Chicago.

Adam's lifelong profession was in the shoe industry. He worked 24 years for Florsheim Shoe and then other shoe companies, retiring as a superintendent from Wolverine World Wide in 1996 and moving to Jackson.

In Jackson, he and Betty became faithful, active members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Adam also became quite a golfer, never passing up an opportunity to spend time with his buddies on the course. As the Kassal family grew, Adam enjoyed the grandkids and great-grandkids more each day, and they all cherish the years they spent with him. In addition to the grandkids, he also had a soft spot for animals, especially their well-being.

Loving survivors include his wife of 62 years, Betty Kassal of Jackson; three children, Rita (James) Trankler of Jackson, Robert Kassal of Chicago and Ron (Stephanie) Kassal of Beloit, Wisconsin; five grandchildren, Josef (Angela) Trankler and Nickie (Dr. Joe) McCadams, both of Jackson, and Elisabeth "Lissie" Kassal, Glorianne (Keith) Davies and Kristie Woody, all of Beloit; 10 great-grandchildren; and a brother, John Kassal, and a sister, Leni Korving, both of Woodstock, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his mother-in-law, Katharina Preisig.

Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to service time Thursday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson.

At 6 p.m., the Rev. John Harth and Deacon Walter Biri will lead a celebration-of-life Mass.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, the American Diabetes Association or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.