SPRINGFIELD — Mark A. "Boot" Caselton, 90, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, surrounded by his loving family at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Rochester. Mark was born Feb. 4, 1932, in White Hall, the son of Peter C. and Freda M. Fischer Caselton. He married the love of his life, Rosemary Sinclair, on May 9, 1959, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Jerseyville. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rosemary, in 1989; three brothers, Paul Caselton, Earl Caselton and Jude Caselton; three sisters, Sister Ena Caselton, Joan Hacker and Meta McCarthy; two grandchildren, Ian Caselton and Andrew Caselton; and a son-in-law, Mark Zolecki.

He is survived by his five children, Michelle (Michael) Mahoney of St. Charles, Missouri, Michael (Kay Easley) Caselton of Sherman, Martin (Mary) Caselton of Crystal Lake, Mark (Beth) Caselton of Chesterfield, Missouri, and Melissa Zolecki of Lakewood Ranch, Florida; 19 grandchildren, Neal Mahoney, Sam Mahoney, Sara Mahoney, Kara (Kirk Stirens) Caselton, Amy Caselton, Molly (Evan) Stout, Keaton Easley, Cole Easley, Quinn Easley, Sean (Kelly) Caselton, Hanna (Victor) Wierzba, Lauren Caselton, Evan Caselton, Ryan Caselton, Eric Caselton, Maggie Caselton, Matt Zolecki, Paige Zolecki and Jack Zolecki; and five great-grandchildren, Jessica, Erik, Nick, Emma and Paisley Stirens. He is also survived by his dear friend of over 20 years, Tina Pluester, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mark graduated with the class of 1950 from St. John's High School in Carrollton. He spent a year at Illinois State University before joining the U.S. Air Force where he was part of the Office of Strategic Services. He proudly served in the Korean War before returning home and completing his college education and playing baseball at Washburn University in Kansas. Mark and Rosemary moved to Springfield where they started their family of five wonderful children. He had a successful career with Hawkeye Security (Western States) Insurance Co., where he worked for 30 years prior to retiring. During his free time, Mark was a loving family man and enjoyed coaching his children's athletic teams. He was very active with the Church of the Little Flower, especially the Little Flower Men's Club. His favorite pastime was enjoying his friends and family at the BRBF Club where he would spend time hunting, fishing and socializing. He was actively involved in the Greene County Historical Society and Calhoun County Historical Society and enjoyed researching his family's genealogy.

Mark was a man with a huge heart. He knew no strangers and always welcomed new friends into his life. He made everyone feel special and positively impacted so many lives.

Mark's family will meet friends from 3 p.m. until the time of the funeral Mass at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at the Church of the Little Flower, 800 Stevenson Drive in Springfield, with Rev. Allen Kemme officiating.

The family will meet at the main gate at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield at 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, to process to a 10 a.m. graveside service. The Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County along with the Department of Defense will conduct military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorial contributions to the National Fragile X Foundation, 1012 14th St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005, or online at https://give.fragilex.org/markcaselton or to the Church of the Little Flower, 800 Stevenson Drive, Springfield, IL 62703.

Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Mark Caselton. Online condolences may be expressed at www.curryfh.com.