Richard "Dick" Wayne Cassel

Mr. Richard Wayne “Dick” Cassel, 87, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 9:10 am, with his loving wife Mary Lou at his side. He had been ill for some time. Dick was born in Claypool on August 10,1935, to the late Howard and Nellie Irene (Ditman) Cassel, and later married Mary Lou Strickler in Elkhart on July 2, 1960.  She survives at home after 62 wonderful years together.

Also surviving Dick is his son, Richard W. “Rick” (Kathy) Cassel of Panama City, Florida; his brother, Lester Cassel of Palm Bay, Florida and a loving host of grand and great grandchildren as well as extended family. Dick is preceded in death by a daughter, Debra Lynn Cassel Bryan; brothers, Donald, Lee and Lloyd Cassel; and a sister, H. Violet Stalter.

A memorial service for Dick has been scheduled for Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 11:00 am at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1133 Kilbourn Street, Elkhart. Sister Nora Frost will officiate services and Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart have been assisting with cremation arrangements.

Dick worked out of the downtown post office as a local mail carrier for many, many years and may perhaps be remembered by the community as his smiling face graced many a front porch or door stoop back in his day as he went about the “swift completion of his appointed rounds”.

After leaving the post office, Dick opened up Cassel’s Clock Shop as he always found clocks and their miniscule, complex workings both fascinating and interesting. He was also an active member at Augustana where he served on several boards and on the building and grounds committee. He always considered himself a good Christian, and he enjoyed reading from his bible regularly.

Dick was also an avid golfer, a huge Notre Dame fan, loved to tell lousy jokes (You know I’m allergic to cotton? Yeah, they got pills for it but I can never get them out of the bottle…), and absolutely enjoyed the monthly family get-togethers for dinner. That was something that he always looked forward to and, over the years, everyone learned to make extra mashed potatoes and gravy if Dick was coming. He also enjoyed watching John Wayne movies and Alan Alda playing Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H.

Friends and family wishing to make a donation in Dick’s memory may do so by donating to the church of one’s choice or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Please visit the funeral home’s website and Dick’s obituary page to leave condolences and memories. 

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