Albert Caskey

Albert Leroy Caskey, 80, of Carbondale, Ill., formerly of Cape Girardeau, passed away Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, at his home.

He was born Nov. 26, 1931, in Wichita, Kan., to Wilbur Reid and Julia Stroetker Caskey. He and Nancy Joan Currie were married Dec. 28, 1957, in De Soto, Mo. She preceded him in death July 20, 2009.

Caskey graduated with a doctorate in chemistry and taught chemistry at Iowa State, and had worked on the Manhattan Project. While living in Cape Girardeau from 1957 to 1963, he taught chemistry at Southeast Missouri State University and later at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

From 1963 to 1978 he was an elder at Cape Bible Chapel in Cape Girardeau, and from 1978 to 1990 he was a member of Shawnee Bible Chapel in Carbondale.

Caskey is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Brian and Martha Caskey of Wheaton, Ill., Kirk and Nancy Caskey of Murphysboro, Ill.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, John William Caskey of Texas; two sisters, Mary Ingram of Washington, Mo., and Jo Dennis of St. Charles, Mo.

He was preceded in death by a half brother, Myron Wendall Caskey; a half sister, Margaret Nadine Caskey; and his parents.

A memorial service will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Murdale Baptist Church in Carbondale, with the Rev. Paul Hicks officiating.

Pettett Funeral Home in Murphysboro is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.