Caswell, John E.

CASWELL, FATELLE, HASELHUHN, RIDNOUER

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 11/6/2009 at 11:42:05

Knoxville — John E. Caswell, 87, of Knoxville, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at the Knoxville Hospital. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 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 Jan. 21, 1922, in Flagler, 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 Corps 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. 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; daughters, Jane Caswell of Iowa City; Carolyn Stevens and husband Wes of New London, Minn.; stepson, Mike Ridnouer and wife Marilyn of North Carolina; two grandchildren, Michael Stevens, Michelle Stevens—Tejeda and husband Antonio; two great grandchildren, Mateo and Abigail.

John was preceded in death by his wife Betty in 1987, son, John Jr., in 2002, three brothers and a sister.

Memorials may be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church.

Knoxville Journal-Express, Oct. 30, 2009