Carl Casella

Carl Casella, 95, passed away peacefully on Jan. 30, 2019. Carl was born in November of 1923 in Chicago, to Joseph and Caroline Casella.

Carl graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago and after graduation enlisted in the Navy. He served for almost three years during World War II, where he served as a plane captain aboard the U.S.S. Saratoga air craft carrier.  He then attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he studied hotel management, learned to love to ski, and became captain of the football team.

Carl worked in several Chicago hotels including the Morrison, where he met his beloved wife, Jean, and the Executive House. He moved to Champaign in 1976 to manage the Ramada Inn Hotel. When that hotel was sold, he went to work as a tour bus driver for Illini Swallow Bus Line. He drove through most of the lower 48 states and Alaska during his 25-year career. Carl enjoyed hearing stories of passengers and sharing his own. Carl always enjoyed traveling and sharing his journey with others.

Carl was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, and his brothers, Phillip and Joseph. He is survived by his sisters, Mary and Aida, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

A visitation will be held at Owens Funeral Home (101 N. Elm St.) in Champaign from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Matthew’ Catholic Church (1303 Lincolnshire) on Monday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m., followed by burial at Prairieview Cemetery.  Military rites will be accorded by the VFW Post #5520 Color Guard.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Carl’s name to St. Matthew Catholic Church in Champaign, Colorado College, or the VFW.


 

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