Caster, Luther Harmon Jr. – 1928-2010

BRICKER, CASTER, CYRENE, ENGELKER, HELLYER, SCOTT, VAN ROEKEL, VANDER LEEST, WALLACE, WYNN

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 2/5/2010 at 11:54:43

Luther Harmon Caster Jr., 81, passed away on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at the Skiff Medical Center Monarch Wing.
Visiting hours for Mr. Caster will be at the Pella Garden Chapel on Tuesday after noon with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. Additional visiting hours will be at the Moravia Church of the Nazarene on Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m. Graveside services will be Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia.
Luther was born on Aug. 15, 1928, to Luther and Mary Ethel Hellyer Caster near Chugwater, Wyo., in Laramie County. He moved to Moravia, Iowa, with his parents in 1940 and graduated from the Moravia High School with the class of 1946.
Luther worked for the Maytag Corporation a short time before enlisting in the U.S. Navy on Aug. 17, 1950. He was involved in the Korean Conflict aboard the USS Kishwaukee and the USS Arequipa. Luther was honorably discharged from the Navy on June 14, 1954. He then returned to work at Maytag as a tool and die maker for 36 years.
Luther was united in marriage with Lois Jean Scott on Sept. 29, 1956, in Moravia. Luther and Lois raised three children together, Pamela Jean, Mary Catherine and Jo Ann.
Luther was a talented gardener who loved to share his produce with his friends and family. He also was a self-taught gemcutter and jeweler. He cut faceted gems and rocks and made many rings, necklaces and pocketknives for those he loved. In his younger days, Luther enjoyed hunting and fishing, for which he made his own lures. Luther also was a member of the Moravia Historical Society, and he worked at the annual open rail car excursion many years.
Luther is survived by his daughter, Mary Catherine (Warren) Vander Leest of Sully; daughter Jo Ann (John) Wynn of Charles Town, W.Va.; step-daughter Pam Cyrene of Ipswich, Mass.; seven grandchildren, Justin Vander Leest, Angela (Mark) Van Roekel, Megan Wallace and her fiance Chad, Rob Wallace, Matt Wynn, Chelle Wynn and Nicole (Mitch) Bricker; and five great-grandchildren, Alicia, Travis, Ben, Tom and Joshua Bricker.
Luther was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 2008; his sister, Osa Engelker; and his brothers, Cecil, Wayne, Clyde, Floyd, Wrex, Raymond and James. Luther will be remembered as a loving father and friend and will be missed by many.
Source: Newton Daily News; Monday, February 1, 2010