Obit: Celske, Casimer John (1921 - 2019)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Celske, Edwards, Frieboth, Nelson, Paul, Ward

----Source: The Ladysmith News (Ladysmith, WI) 4/23/2019

Celske, Casimer “Casey” John (4 MAR 1921 - 20 APR 2019)

Casimer “Casey” John Celske, 98, of Aledo, Ill., passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at Hope Creek Care Center in Moline, Ill.

Casey was born in Conrath on March 4, 1921, as the first of Albert and Jessie Celske’s 14 children. Casey proudly served his nation in WWII, initially as a mechanic in the Army. Later, Casey volunteered to join an elite American-Canadian commando unit known as the First Special Service Force (FSSF) where he served as a radio operator and a gunner. The FSSF stormed the beaches at Anzio and liberated Rome. For his valor, he earned two purple hearts and a bronze star. In 2015, Casey’s unit received a Congressional Gold Medal — the highest medal awarded by the US Congress — for their bravery and service to our nation.

Post war, he worked as a head mechanic at Bucyrus Erie in South Milwaukee, maintaining the foundry equipment that manufactured large draglines, such as the “Big Muskie," used to expand America’s infrastructure.

He married the love of his life, Helen Olga Ward on Aug. 7, 1948, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in South Milwaukee. Casey and Helen raised 11 children in Oak Creek. Upon retiring, Casey moved to Ladysmith, and in 2006 moved to Aledo, Ill. to be near his sons.

Family left to cherish his memory include Carey Celske, Ladysmith, Larry Celske, Milwaukee, Christine Frieboth, South Milwaukee, Lynda (Tom) Edwards, South Milwaukee, Lee (Cindi) Celske, Cape Coral, Fla., Curtis Celske, Cudahy, Laura (Duane) Paul, Holcombe, Craig (Chantal) Celske, Aledo, Ill., and Lyle Celske, Ft. Myers, Fla.; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Casey was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Celske; his daughter, Cynthia (Cindy) Celske; his son, Lenny Celske; and a granddaughter, Rebecca Nelson.

A funeral mass is planned at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Aledo, Ill. with a brunch and celebration of life to follow in the parish hall. Casey’s remains will be buried at Forest Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Oak Creek following a celebration of life at 2 p.m. in the cemetery chapel on June 29. In lieu of flowers, make donations to Rusk County Animal Shelter.

Casey was one of the oldest WWII veterans in Mercer County in Illinois, and it gave him great joy to serve as the bell ringer during the Memorial Day services. This year, the bell will be rung in honor of his service to our nation.