David J. Kasley

David John Kasley, 95, of Pekin passed away at 4:30 PM Friday, September 28, 2018 at his home. He was born on July 16, 1923 in Chicago, IL to John and Mary (Powell) Kasley. He married Marian Janet Rust on May 22, 1948 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on August 1, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, William and Gerald Kasley. Dave is survived by one son, William Laird (Helen) Kasley of Peoria, AZ; two daughters, Kathryn Ann (Howard) Ash of Edwardsville, IL and Mary Elizabeth (Leonard) Lee of Heyworth, IL; five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. Dave was in the United States Coast Guard during World War II and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters from 1942-1945.He was proud of his service and was pleased to be able to go on an 'honor flight' to Washington, DC in 2011 with other WWII veterans. After the war, he attended Knox College where he met Jan.Dave received a Masters degree from Knox.He and Jan continued to support the college over the years, establishing a scholarship in memory of Dave's brother William who died at the Battle of the Bulge. Dave was an educator for Pekin District 108 for 30 years. He first taught shop and junior high mathematics, and was a principal at Franklin Grade School and Washington Junior High.He became director of curriculum for District 108 in the mid-1960's and finished his career as assistant superintendent, retiring in 1980.He then was director of Holiday School in Pekin until 1982 when he joined his wife Jan in retirement. Dave was an active member of many organizations.He served as president of Rotary Club and was on the United Way Board, Pekin Library Board, and Salvation Army Board. He was also a founding member of the Illinois Valley Blacksmiths Association.He received the Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary.He and Jan provided major funding for the Harold J. Rust Transitional Center in Pekin and received the Salvation Army Others award for their philanthropic efforts.They also donated the land that is now Railsplitter's Park and made many other donations to the Pekin Park District. Dave enjoyed life and people and had a love for learning that showed during his career and also during his retirement.He rarely forgot a name or face and would greet former students from the 1950's and 1960's when he was out and about. He pursued many hobbies: amateur radio operator, Master Gardener, blacksmithing, fishing and reading.He built his own power tools and forged his own hand tools. Having never touched a computer or learned to type, he decided at age 90 to get an iPad and quickly learned how to 'look it up'. Dave was also a talented woodcarver, often joining the woodcarving group at Miller Center.Starting in the early 1990's, he designed and carved Santa Claus figures for his family every Christmas, each one a different original design.He created over 75 unique carvings which will be treasured by his family. Dave's great passion was sailing, the sea, and everything associated with it.He built, restored, or modified many boats and sailed them in the Illinois River, starting in the 1950's and continuing until the 2000's. His children and Jan enjoyed going with him, but Dave earned his Coast Guard license in his 60's 'just in case' he wanted to take 'paying' passengers on his sailboat. Dave loved spending time with his family and was a master storyteller.They will always treasure the many years they were given enjoying his humor, love, and wisdom. Private family services will be held with entombment at Lakeside Mausoleum with Father Michael Andrejek officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the United States Coast Guard and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army Harold J. Rust Transitional Center, 235 Derby Street Pekin, IL 61554. Cemetery Lakeside Cemetery 1917 N. 8th Street Pekin,IL 61554