Funeral Services for LaVern Caskey, age 89, of O'Neill will be 10:30 am (Tomorrow) Saturday, January 4, 2020 at Christ Lutheran Church in O'Neill with Rev. John Nelson officiating.

Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the O'Neill American Legion Simonson Post 93.

Visitation will be from 5-7 pm (Tonight), Friday, January 3, 2020 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

LaVern passed away on Friday, January 3, 2020 at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill.  Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of arrangements.

LaVern Harry Caskey was born June 1, 1930 in Venus, Nebraska to Harry and Elsie (Hildreth) Caskey, the first of three sons. He went to grade school at Midway, and graduated from Creighton High School in 1947.

Lavern farmed with his father until he was drafted into the service. He joined the Marine Corp in November 1951. After initially being stationed in San Diego, he spent sixteen months in Korea. He was wounded in August of 1952 and spent a month in a military hospital. He later received a Purple Heart and other commendations for his service.

He was engaged to Melba Held when he entered the military, and after returning home in November 1953, they were married on December 13, 1953 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Venus.

LaVern and Melba moved to O'Neill, where he worked for Shelhamer's, and later Meyer Furniture. He eventually purchased the business and operated Caskey Furniture for 34 years, until retiring in 1996.

He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and the American Legion. He and Melba had a home on the Missouri River in Boyd county for many years, and spent countless weekends with their family - boating, fishing, riding ATV's and nights around the campfire. He was unusually energetic when it came to home projects, lawn care, and most of all, grandkids.

Lavern is survived by his children; Monte Caskey and wife Deb of Ft. Worth, TX, Angela Pinkerman and husband Marty of Hastings, NE, Sandra Hauenstein and husband Brett of Lithia, FL; seven grandchildren, Jason (Shanel) Caskey, Joshua (Molly) Caskey, Amanda (Collin) Lybarger, Danielle Caskey, Seth (Karissa) Pinkerman, Chad Pinkerman, Haley Hauenstein; six great-granchildren, Jude Caskey, Alice Caskey, Arthur Caskey, Cooper Caskey, Madelyn Pinkerman, Camille Pinkerman; brothers, Donald (Coralyn) Caskey of Gretna, NE, Kenneth (Laurel) Caskey of Norfolk, NE; many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Elsie Caskey; wife, Melba Caskey in 2013, great-grandson, Shean Caskey.