Robert William Kasher

December 1, 1926 - December 28, 2011

Robert W. Kasher, 85, of Braidwood, IL passed away Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at his home. He was born December 1, 1926 in Chicago, IL to the late Joseph James and Frances (Hula) Kasher. Robert retired from AT&T following thirty-four and one half years of employment and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers. He was also a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, the American Legion Koca Post #39 and the Knights of Columbus Post #1574 all in Braidwood. A veteran of the United States Coast Guard, he served during World War II. He was a retired barber and once had a shop in his house. He enjoyed attending sporting events at the Reed-Custer High School. His family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were his greatest joy in life. Robert was an avid collector of any Braidwood memorabilia and was known for his abundant display of articles. His wife, Shirley (Koca) Kasher, of Braidwood, whom he married July 17, 1948 in Braidwood survived. She passed away on January 1, 2012, four days after Robert. Surviving were their children, Sandra (William) Ritze, Susan (James) McCreery, Craig (Denise) Kasher, and Diane (Dale) Eslinger; eleven grandchildren, Kimberly and BJ Ritze, Stephanie (Branden) Petersen, Jamie McCreery, David (Ashley) Kasher, Brian (Tahleatha) Kasher, Sgt. Kevin Kasher and Kathy Kasher, Becky (Brian) Mellen, Bill (Lori) Eslinger, and Sarah (George) Weaver; thirteen great-grandchildren, Will and Emma Ritze, Madalyn and Owen Petersen, Troy Kasher, Emily Walker, Zachary, Austin and Cassie Mellen, Nathan and Emma Eslinger, Dalton Galonos, and Kaylee Weaver; sister-in-laws, Evelyn Kasher, Alice Kasher, and Antoinette Koca; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were two brothers, Joseph and Raymond Kasher; and a brother-in-law, Donald Koca. Funeral services for Robert and his wife, Shirley, were from the R.W. Patterson Funeral Homes, Ltd, Braidwood Chapel, Tuesday, January 3, at 9:30 a.m. to the Immaculate Conception Church in Braidwood for Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment with military honors was in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood, IL. The visitation for Robert and Shirley was Monday, January 2, from 4-8 p.m.