Esther B. Casson Obituary (1933 - 2022)

Esther B. Casson, 88, of Pontiac, passed away on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 3:33 p.m. at Accolade Health Care of Pontiac. Her service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac with Pastor JD Buchenau. There will be a private burial on Monday at Memorial Park Cemetery. Calvert-Martin Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. Esther was born on June 11, 1933, in Rockford, to James A. and Bernice A. (Bradshaw) Close. She married James R. Casson on March 8, 1953, in Pontiac. He died on Friday, August 1, 2008. Survivors are her son, James A. (Roblee) Casson of Pontiac; daughter, Karen J. (Edward) Ewald of Monticello; grandchildren, Andy (Halie) Ewald of Missoula, MT, Tony (Elizabeth) Ewald of Mansfield, Katelyn (Drew) Keller of Lexington, Jacie (Steve) Friel Englewood, CO, Casey "Buck" Casson of Pontiac, and Adam Casson of Bloomington; great grandchildren, James and Josephine Ewald of Missoula, MT; and sister, Beverly Kaisner of Pontiac. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, James; grandson, Kevin Patrick Casson; brothers, Robert and James Close; and sisters, Ellen Fitzgerald and Mary Ellis Esther graduated from Pontiac Township High School, class of 1951 She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Pontiac. When her children were young, Esther was a Girl Scout leader, active in the Pontiac Little League baseball program, and a Sunday School teacher for over 25 years. In later years, she worked as a rural mail carrier and enjoyed morning swims at the Elk's pool followed by breakfast with friends. She also loved to cheer on the Cubs and the Pontiac Indians. Another weekly highlight was her Friday night suppers with her sister that included a glass of merlot that she would refill several times. She was artistic and very creative, an avid reader, and a life-long learner, who enjoyed her daily crossword puzzle. Esther was a hard-working farm wife and a great cook, well-known amongst family and farm workers for her large dinners at noon which included a choice of three pies for dessert. Her fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and homemade biscuits were said to be the best in Livingston County. Family members will forever cherish the special cookbooks she lovingly created filled with recipes and personal photos. Esther was the best mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother that anyone could ever ask for. Her sense of humor, spunkiness, and quick wit will be forever missed. Memorials may be made to the Kevin Casson Memorial Basketball Tournament, 214 W. Washington St., Pontiac, IL 61764. This obituary can be read and guestbook signed at www.calvertmemorial.com or find us on Facebook.