Olga Maria Casler, affectionately known as Olguita to family and friends, 83, of Jacksonville, Illinois, passed peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, at her residence surrounded by her children. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Richard "Dick" Casler. She was the loving mother of Richard Judd (Robin) Casler of Jacksonville, Virginia "Gigi" (Matt) Warshaw of New York, and Catherine "Cathy" Smith of Chicago; and the devoted grandmother of six, Camille Casler (fiancé, Blake Core) of Kirkwood, MO, Caroline (Nate) Johnson of Glen Carbon, Jack and Luke Warshaw of New York, and Bryce and Emmy Smith of Chicago; and the cherished great-grandmother to Charlotte Jeanne Johnson.

Olga was born on May 22, 1940, in Bahia De Caraquez, Ecuador, the daughter of Ricardo S. and Olga Faggioni Balda. She married Dick Casler of Jacksonville on Oct. 24, 1961, in Meriden, Connecticut. The newlyweds resided briefly in Riverside, CA before settling in Jacksonville. She was the oldest of six. Her four brothers and sister all preceded her in death; Ricky, Eddie, Al, Bobby and Becky. She became the dedicated matriarch to all of their children (Kathy, Rick, Dan, Tony, Ed, Michael, Christopher, Maria, Mark, Andrea, Rob, Brian, Lisa, Alfred, Christina, Henry, Eddy, Jose, and Virginia).

During her life, she traveled widely, including the Galapagos Islands, Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal and Tangier, Africa. In addition to travelling, her hobbies included playing cards, knitting and spending time with her dear, lifelong friends. One of her valued milestones was becoming a U.S. citizen in 1982.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at the Church of Our Saviour, 453 E. State, in Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Art Association of Jacksonville. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.buchanancody.com.