Gene Wilbert Casten, 71

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Gene W. Casten, 71, passed away on Monday, July 11th, 2011 at Sherman Hospital, Elgin, Illinois.

Gene was born February 6th, 1940 in Campbell Hill, Illinois, the son of Wilbert and Elsie (Poenitske) Castens. He grew up in Chester, Illinois attending the Chester Grade School and High School. After his first marriage he moved to Elgin, IL and then moved to West Dundee, IL.

Gene was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church Elgin, IL. He worked for computer consulting companies providing on-site support services for computers and networks. His hobbies included hiking, photography, travel, collecting, time with family and friends.

Gene is survived by his wife, Sandra Casten (Innis) of West Dundee, IL; Daughters Sondra (Alan) Kuro of Trevor, WI and Linda (Edward) Leveille of Belvidere, IL; Stepson, Timothy Innis of Itasca, IL; Sister, Marilynn (Richard) Howell of St. Peters, MO; Brother, Bruce (Diana) Casten of Ft. Worth, TX; Former spouse, Janet Casten (Helfers) of Elgin, IL; five grandchildren, two great-grandsons, nieces and nephews.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; Step-Father, Lloyd Smith of Chester, IL; Brother, Marion "Bo" Casten of Sparta, IL and Nephew, Bradley Casten of Sparta, IL.

An outdoor life-celebration was held on July 24th in Hoffman Estates, IL. A second local memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 27, 2011 at St. John Lutheran Church, 1110 North Market Street, Sparta, IL at 11:00am .