10/14/2009
John E. Caswell, 87, of Knoxville, passed away on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at
the Knoxville Hospital and Clinic.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday,
October 17, 2009 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Joel Picard officiating. Burial
with military graveside rites by the United States Air Force followed at Graceland
Cemetery. Williams Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
John E. Caswell
was born on January 21, 1922 in Flagler, Iowa to William and Ruby (Fatelle) Caswell.
He grew up in the Knoxville area and graduated from Knoxville High School. He enlisted
into the United States Army Air Corp. in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1946.
John returned to the Knoxville area where he worked at the V.A. hospital, was a
rural postal carrier and farmed.
He married Betty Haselhuhn on July 11, 1947 at
St. Johns Lutheran Church in Melcher, Iowa. He was later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran
Church on May 29, 1955. John was a very compassionate man throughout his life. Early
on, he took care of his dying mother during early W.W. II. He later took care of
his wife, Betty, who suffered from cancer for 12 years before passing away in 1987.
John married Frances Ridnouer on April 5, 1991 at the First United Methodist Church
in Knoxville. John’s love in life was his family and friends. He enjoyed the outdoors
and nature, he had a name for almost every animal on the farm. He also enjoyed playing
pinochle and all kinds of different cards games.
John and Frances enjoyed volunteering
and giving of themselves to their community and their churches. John lived his faith
in God every day of his life. John is survived by his wife, Frances, son, Bob Caswell
of Knoxville, IA; daughters, Jane Caswell of Iowa City, IA; Carolyn Stevens and
husband Wes of New London, MN; stepson, Mike Ridnouer and wife Marilyn of North
Carolina; 2 grandchildren, Michael Stevens, Michelle Stevens—Tejeda and husband
Antonio; 2 great grandchildren, Mateo and Abigail.
John was preceded in death by
his wife Betty in 1987, son, John Jr., in 2002, 3 brothers and 1 sister.
Memorials
may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church.