Hal Hon Kasper
Born: February 19, 1926
Died: May 1, 2010
Hal Hon Kasper, 84, of Evansville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 1, 2010, at 4:04 AM. He was born to William Henry Kasper and Mary Hon Kasper on February 19, 1926, at his grandparent's home. A graduate of Bosse High School, he was inducted into the military upon graduation and sent to "Tankers School" at Ft. Knox, KY and then to France. He was a member of Co. B 23rd Tank Battalion - 12th Armored during WWII. He was a recipient of the Occupation Medal – Germany, American Theater Ribbon, EAME Theater Ribbon, WWII Bronze Stars and the Victory Medal. He served from August 9, 1944, until July 3, 1946. On April 15, 1945, he was sitting on top of his tank and was hit by a missile near Burcheim, Germany and was issued a Purple Heart. He served under General Patch and was part of General Patton's "Mystery Division." Hal and Edna Ruth (Edwards) were married November 4, 1950, and celebrated their 50 years together with a special party. He drove new Plymouths from the factory to the shipyards and helped load them on barges to be sent down the Ohio for southern distribution. His father and he founded "William Kasper and Son Painting and Decorating" which was in business for 35 years; then he retired after 12 years as Maintenance Supervisor at Oak Meadows Country Club. Hal loved traveling, fishing and camping. Many summers were spent boating on the Ohio and lakes around. He also enjoyed farming with his father-in-law, Ernest Edwards, in Illinois and also raised cattle. After retirement, he and his wife Edna Ruth traveled all over the United States and across Canada. He especially liked Florida and North Carolina. He was a member of the American Legion Funkhouser Post #8, life member of VFW Post #1114 and Purple Heart. He was past president of the Ohio Valley Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and a member of the 12th Armored Division Association "Hellcats." He volunteered as a driver for the Disabled American Veterans for about eight years and logged over 200,000 miles from Evansville to VA hospitals for Veterans. Hal was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry and Mary Edna (Hon) Kasper; grandparents, George and Dora (Hon) Hon and William and Frances (Wintz) Kasper; and uncles, Kenneth, Donald and Harold Hon and "Babe" Kasper. He is survived by his wife, Edna Ruth Kasper; aunt, Aletha Hon; cousins, Tom, Bill Hon, Judy Dahlem of Ft. Smith, AR, John Hon and family of Houston, TX, Gwen Crowe and Jackie Harlan of Evansville; and niece, Sarah Rose of Quincy, IL.The family would like to give special thanks to the nursing staff and aides who cared for Hal at Golden Living Center Woodbridge. Services will be 1:30 PM Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at Alexander West Chapel, officiated by Rev. Gene Backes with entombment at Oak Hill Mausoleum. Friends may visit Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Methodist Church - West, 3101 Hillcrest Terrace, Evansville, IN 47712.
[Note: Edna Kasper was the first President of Tri-State Genealogical Society - JGW]
The funeral home grave placement plaque is still present (see lower right). The Barber Funeral Home plaque is in excellent shape considering it is 54 years old! This plaque lists Roe's full name as "Roe Tilden Flatt" - I was telling a good long-time friend, Edna Kasper, last night that I had found this gravesite that has my 2nd. Great Grandmother in the next grave... she pointed out that "Roe" & "Tilden" are surnames! I suspected Tilden, but had not thought about Roe. I immediately remembered that I know a family named Roe! This use of surnames may be the result of many possibilities; however, it is not uncommon to name children using surnames of the family. As I research, I will look for these family names.
