R.C. Kasten

Rudolph Charles "R.C." Kasten, 88, of Jackson went to his heavenly home Saturday, March 3, 2018. He passed away at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

He was born Feb. 16, 1930, in Cape Girardeau County to John M.C. and Ardena Lowes Kasten. He and Ruth Ann Eifert were married Aug. 28, 1955, at Eisleben Lutheran Church in Illmo. Three children were born to their union, and they had been married nearly 57 years when Ruth passed away June 14, 2012.

R.C. attended St. Paul Lutheran School and was a 1947 graduate of Jackson High School. He was an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving during the Korean War era, from Feb. 28, 1952, to Feb. 27, 1954, attaining the rank of corporal.

Upon returning from the military, R.C. owned and operated Melrud Farms Inc., west of Jackson. He also served on the board of directors for MFA, Farm Bureau and was a 60-plus-year member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson.

He was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. He was baptized March 2, 1930, and confirmed April 18, 1943. He served on the Board of Elders, the Stewardship Board and 22 years as an usher.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Renee (John) Amos of Jackson and Debra Kasten of St. Louis; two grandchildren, Michelle (Randy) Dees and Christopher (Halie Haman) Amos; three great-grandchildren, Jolee, Ellie and Kinley Dees; a brother, John David (Ruth) Kasten of Jackson; and two sisters-in-law, Rosemary (the late Don) Miller of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, and Mary (the late Dr. Melvin) Kasten of Cape Girardeau.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Randy Kasten (Feb. 15, 2013); two brothers, Dr. Melvin Kasten and Jim Kasten; a brother-in-law, Don Miller; and a sister-in-law, Louise Kasten.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Chapel A of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, with an American Legion Service at 7 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to service time Thursday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Jason Shaw officiating. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson with military honors.

The family suggests memorials be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Saxony Lutheran High School or the Missouri Veterans Home Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.