Joe E. Casler

Joe E. Casler, of Columbia passed away Thursday, January 21, 2016 surrounded by his wife and family. Visitation will be held Tuesday January 26th from 5 to 6:30 pm with a memorial service at 6:30 pm at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Columbia, MO. Graveside services with military honors will be held at Franklin Cemetery in Chester, South Dakota.

Joe was born May 30, 1949 in Chester, SD, the son of H.A. and Betty Casler, who preceded him in death. Upon graduating from college, Joe served in the United States Air Force for 4 ½ years and in the Air Force Reserves for 23 years. He retired as a Colonel. Joe worked for the Federal Aviation Administration as a Flight Service Specialist. Joe was active in Civil Air Patrol where he served in several leadership positions and received multiple honors for the work that he did. He retired there in December 2015 after 45 years of service. He spent many years volunteering as a baseball and softball coach for his children and always enjoyed watching them play. Joe was also active in amateur radio and was a member of two radio clubs in Columbia where he also served in leadership positions.

Joe is survived by his wife of 45 years, Donnelle. Together they enjoyed traveling to spend time with their children and grandchildren. Joe is also survived by his son David (Kelly) Casler of Warrensburg, MO and their two children Zachary and Caleb; his son Doug (Alison) Casler of Cottleville, MO and their two children Connor and Claire; and his daughter Deborah (Jason) Stanoch of Bemidji, MN and their two children Emma and Jacob. Joe is also survived by his brothers James (Lana) Casler of Grand Forks, ND and John (Mary) Casler of Black River, WI; sister-in-laws Deanne (Mark) Saari of Rush City, MN and Sandy Block of Minneapolis, MN; two aunts, cousins and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The Air Force Aid Society, Inc., 241 18th Street South, Suite 202, Arlington, VA 22202.