Marian J. Kasley

Marian Janet 'Jan' Kasley, 89, of Pekin passed away on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at her home surrounded by her family. Jan was born on September 7, 1928 in Pekin, IL to Harold Jacob and Gladys (Laird) Rust. She married David Kasley on May 22, 1948 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin. He survives. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Jane Rust. She is survived by her husband, David; 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, one great-grandchild; and one brother, Dr. James Harold Rust of Atlanta, GA. Jan was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. She was also a lifetime member of the Pekin Hospital League, Illinois Education Association and the American Legion Auxiliary.She was a long-time volunteer at Nearly Nu, Pekin Hospital League's shop on Derby St. in Pekin. She was an educator for Pekin District 108 for 30 years. During part of that time, she served as librarian at Washington Junior High. Jan was an avid reader, with her favorites being mystery novels.She also enjoyed watching old movies with her husband, doing crossword puzzles, and baking cookies. Jan's goal was to be helpful to others. Together, she and David donated the land that is now Railsplitters Park, and made many other donations to the Pekin Park District. They were also responsible for major funding of the Salvation Army Harold J. Rust Transitional Center in Pekin.Jan and David received the Salvation Army Others Award for their philanthropic efforts. Jan was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and friend.She will be dearly missed. Private family services will be held with entombment at Lakeside Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army Rust Transitional Center, 235 Derby Street Pekin, IL 61554.