Gerald Casper

COBDEN, Ill. -- Gerald R. Casper, 62, of Cobden died Monday, June 7, 2004, at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Ind.

He was born June 5, 1942, in Cobden, son of Adolphus Lewis "Jimmy" and Florence Esther Kelley Casper. He and Martha L. Hileman were married July 30, 1966, in Joliet, Ill.

Casper was manufacturing manager at Transcraft Corp. in Anna, Ill., more than 37 years. He was a former trustee of Cobden Village Hall, served on Cobden Cemetery advisory board and Cobden liquor advisory board. He was a member of First Baptist Church.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1962.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Timothy Casper of Cobden, David Casper of Anna; a daughter, Natalie Cavaness of Anna; two brothers, Eddie and Robert "Robbie" Casper of Cobden; three sisters, Bobbie Casper, Sharon Casper and Helen Boyd, all of Cobden; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Friends may call at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Cobden after 6 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Clifford Heil officiating. Burial will be in Cobden Cemetery.