Services for Don Caslavka, 85, of Blues Springs, are at 11 a.m. Saturday at Faith United Methodist Church in Grain Valley. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Faith United Methodist for youth and children’s ministries.
Donald Lee Caslavka was born April 2, 1937 at home in rural Traer, Iowa to Lester and LeOra Caslavka. His family moved off the farm into town in Iowa Falls, Iowa where Don graduated high school and met his eventual bride of 64 years, Shirley Lewis of nearby Hubbard, while roller skating at the local skating rink. Don and Shirley were married, May 29, 1958.
He graduated from Ellsworth Community College and briefly attended Iowa State University before pursuing a career in the life insurance industry which spanned four decades.
Don enjoyed running, participating in countless marathons over 20 years. He continued to run shorter races into his eighties. He was particularly proud of his personal best of 3:09:01 at the Drake Relays Marathon and the Twins Cities Marathon where he and his son David had a combined time of under six hours. His passion even led him to international events such as marathons in Geneva and Berlin which he incorporated into trips abroad while visiting David who was serving in the Air Force in Germany. He also completed the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) with Shirley.
Constantly in search of mental exercises and brain teasers, Don enjoyed completing Jigsaw and Sudoku puzzles, playing solitaire and quizzing friends and family with trivia. All who knew him could see his love for music. He sang everywhere and anytime, much to the chagrin of his children! Among his favorites: old hymns and polka music (shout out to Big Joe and Molly B)! He also was a passionate Yankees fan and followed the Iowa Hawkeyes.
He served on the Grain Valley Park board and enjoyed working with youth at Faith United Methodist Church of which he was a faithful member.
Don died peacefully in his sleep August 30, 2022 at Jackson Creek in Independence, MO. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Shirley, children Deb (Tim) Musser of Marshall, MN, Nancy Caslavka of Gray, LA, Jim (Amy) Caslavka of Blue Springs, MO and David Caslavka of West Des Moines, IA, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, sisters Connie Wubbena of Iowa Falls, IA and Sandy (Rick) Hoenig of Winterset, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and LeOra Caslavka.
Obituary submitted by family.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO 816-847-4441
David Hackett
2 Sep 2022Don was an asset to our community and to Faith UMC. Grateful to have known him and his family.
John J Menefee Jr
7 Sep 2022I saw Don running every morning on my way to teach at GVHS. I did worry about him getting hit by a car. I’d just wave. Always wondered what his name was and finally I had my question answered. May God Bless him.