Denny Castleman Sr.

Denny Thomas Castleman Sr., 79, of Woburn, Illinois, passed away Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, at Capetown Assisted Living in Cape Girardeau following a long illness.

He was born Oct. 14, 1936, in Smithboro, Illinois, the son of Thomas Castleman and Dorothy Castleman Bauer Elkins.

Denny grew up in Woburn and was a 1954 graduate of Mulberry Grove (Illinois) High School, where his favorite subject was math. During his high-school years, he and his best friend, Vincent, enjoyed playing basketball and working on cars together. Upon graduation, Denny decided to join the service and enlisted in the Navy, where over the next 20 years he would rise to the rank of aviation electrician chief. Shortly after joining the Navy, Denny met the love of his life, Margaret, while home on leave. In January 1957, they married and shared a life together for 55 years, until her passing four years ago.

Being in the Navy gave Denny the opportunity to see and experience many things throughout his life, including traveling throughout the United States and several different countries, as well as being stationed in Guam for a few years. During this time, he was with the Navy's Hurricane Hunter Squadron, something he was very proud of.

After serving with the Navy, Denny continued his career in aviation by joining the private sector as an engineer and technical writer, working for companies such as McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corp. and Lockheed-Martin. During his time with Lockheed, Denny had the opportunity to work on a special project at Vandenberg Air Force Base preparing for the first West Coast launch of the space shuttle. After being with Lockheed for 17 years, he retired in 2001, and he and Margaret returned to live in Woburn to be closer to their parents.

During his retirement years, Denny could be found working in the yard or in the garage tinkering with one of his many motorcycles. He also loved his morning coffee at McDonald's, hanging out with what he endearingly referred to as the "McDonald's Gang."

He was a member and deacon of First Church of Christ in Mulberry Grove for the past eight years, a member of American Legion Post 1180 in Mulberry Grove, a member at large of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for the state of Illinois and a member of the Fleet Reserve Association.

He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Bauer of Woburn; four children, Denny Thomas "Skip" (Greta Bright) Castleman Jr. of Lexington, Kentucky, Sheena Ann Castleman of Springfield, Missouri, Toni Lynn (Jay) Chezem of Jackson and Dr. Lisa Dawn Castleman of Springfield; seven grandchildren, Stephen L. Castleman, Alyssa M. Castleman, Andrew D. Stuart, Chelby C. (fiance Ethan Bridgewater) Chezem and J.D. Chezem IV, Mitchell A. Hanson and Maxwell T. Hanson; a sister, Darlene Vincent of Brownsville, California; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Also surviving Denny are three very special sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Virginia and Bob File, Vicki Watkins and Marsha Poehling; and two special friends, George Heuter and Delores Dothager.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Margaret; his father, Thomas; and his brother, Wesley Castleman.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home at Greenville, Illinois, and at 10 a.m. Saturday at First Church of Christ in Mulberry Grove.

The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Randy Whitehead officiating. The graveside service will military honors will be at Mulberry Grove Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to First Church of Christ, 411 N. Maple St., Mulberry Grove, IL 62262.

A very special thank you to all the nurses, aides and doctors at Capetown Assisted Living, Saint Francis Hospice and Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.