Ruth N. (Brown) Gasawski

Ruth N. Gasawski, nee Brown, of Caseyville, Illinois died Saturday, April 26 at Memorial Hospital East in O’Fallon, IL at the age of 101 years.

Ruth was born February 7, 1924 and grew up in East St. Louis, where she met her future husband, Walter Gasawski. They married on August 27, 1942 in DeRidder, Louisiana. Ruth was a homemaker for many years, raising three sons. Eventually she took a job as a school bus driver for Vandalia Bus Lines in Caseyville, a position which she held for over 30 years. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post #1117, of Caseyville and the American Legion Post #58.

When she was not sewing clothes for herself and her sons or canning fresh produce from the family garden, she could often be found working on her latest crochet project. Her colorful Afghans were frequently gifted to family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Walter J. Gasawski Sr., her parents, Lena Pasnokot Fortney and John Brown, Stepfather William Fortney, a sister Marjorie (John) Allen, brothers Robert (Mary) Pasnokot, and George (Dorothy) Brown, daughter-in-law Karel Gasawski and grandchildren Gregory Gasawski and Jennifer Dalton.

She is survived by sons Walter “John” (Sharon) Gasawski Jr. of Grain Valley, MO, Darrol (Barbara) Gasawski of Troy, IL and Brian Gasawski of Shiloh, IL, grandchildren Michelle (Tom) Hilboldt, Christine (Brett) Melbourn, Elizabeth Rine, Bradley (Emily) Gasawski, Jessica (Heath) Yakstis, Melissa Fortae, Jason Gasawski, 15 great grandchildren, one great, great granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Kassly Mortuary in Fairview Heights.

Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights.

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