Milton Kasten

Milton C. Kasten, 96, of Jackson passed away peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

Milton Kasten

Milton Kasten

Milton was born Dec. 14, 1926, in Cape Girardeau to Oscar W. and Ella Lydia Neumeyer Kasten.

His family moved numerous times during his education. He attended seven schools, starting September 1932 at Goshen in Oak Ridge, followed by Sandy Ridge, Dogwood, Tilsit, Mississippi County Bridges, Diehlstadt and Jackson High School, graduating in 1944.

Milton served as a gun range instructor in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant in June 1955. He proudly wore his uniform to Veterans Day events even into his mid-90s.

Milton worked at Ceramo in Jackson for 18 years and then retired in 1992 from HWI/Do It Best in Cape Girardeau after another 18 years.

He and JoAnn Seabaugh were married Dec. 21, 1958, at First Baptist Church in Jackson. They had lived on Bast Street in Jackson from 1959 until May 2016, when due to health issues, Milton moved into Saxony Independent Living. When he could no longer be by himself in independent living, in December 2022, he chose to relocate to Chateau Girardeau Assisted Living to be close to his brother, Harold Lee: sister, Joyce King; and cousin, Nelson Kasten.

He was an active member of Zion Methodist Church, delivered meals for Jackson Senior Center, traveled with church groups, exercised and watched "Wheel of Fortune". He especially treasured time spent with his family and grandsons.

Loving survivors include his son, Kevin (Carla) Kasten of Lorena, Texas; daughter, Rhonda (Bill) Hedden of Nashville, Tennessee; three grandsons, Eric Hedden of Nashville, Brian (fiancee Abby) Hedden of Chicago and Nicholas Kasten of Lorena; brother, Harold Lee Kasten; sister, Joyce (Gene) King; and brother, Donald (Peggy) Kasten of Columbus, Ohio.

In addition to his wife of 64 years, he was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Mary Lou (Roy) Wendel; and sister-in-law, Mary Kasten.

Friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at Zion Methodist Church in Gordonville.

The Rev. Lyle Johnston will conduct the funeral at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at the church. Interment and military honors will follow at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may take the form of contributions to Zion Methodist Church Cemetery or the Jackson Senior Center.

Arrangements are by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab of Milton's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.