Lile Dene McCasland
September 12, 1925 to March 18, 2012
Now I see through a glass dimly, then I shall see face to face. Paraphrase of I Corinthians 13:12
Lile was born three miles south of Yuma, Colorado, and moved to the farm east of Yuma when he was three. That farm north of Schramm became his home for the next 80 years. Lile was proud of his longstanding heritage on the farm and his work on the land. He would say, "I've put more tracks in this 160 acres of sand than anyone else." He shared that farm with Deloise "Jane" Graham who became his wife on February 19, 1952. Just a few weeks ago marked 60 years of committed love for the two of them.
Lile and Jane both lived through the Great Depression and knew the value of hard work and saving. They worked as sharecroppers on the land east of Yuma and south of Eckley. Farming, ranching, and serving The Lord were the definitions of their family as they raised two children, Douglas Wayne McCasland and Jayna Lynne (McCasland) Simpson.
When given the chance, fishing was one of those things that he loved to do, even finding time on a hot summer afternoon to break away from the tractor and head to the river to catch a few before it got dark. When the landlord passed and the farmland sold in the late 1970's, Lile hung up his farmer's hat (except for the quarter of land connected to the house) and picked up a fishing pole a little more often. He even bought a boat and discovered the joys of fishing on the lake.
Lile was also known for his large garden and often shared his bounty with family and friends. He tended his garden faithfully until the years took a toll on his body and his strength. Many people know that no one could raise cucumbers quite like Lile.
Lile's fun loving sense of humor was his hallmark. He knew a joke for every occasion and carried a stash of conversation starters in his wallet just in case you had a moment to pause and enjoy a laugh. Many times he entertained at family gatherings or just when he stopped in to do a "little business" in town.
A brain tumor slowly ebbed his vitality for life and the world became more confusing and dim, but now he sees God face to face and we know his fun loving spirit and zest for life is alive again in heaven.
He is survived by his family, wife, D. Jane McCasland, son Doug (Shannon) McCasland of Ault, Colorado, and daughter Jayna (Brian) Simpson of Montrose, Colorado. Surviving grandchildren include Miranda McCasland, Alyssa McCasland, Joshua Simpson, Aaron Simpson, and Micah Simpson. Surviving siblings include: Betty Allen, Dick (Karen) McCasland, Coeta (Francis) Perry, Marvin (Mary) McCasland, Lorraine McCasland, Mary Jane Allen, Don (Carolyn) McCasland. Surviving in-laws include: Norma (Fritz) Duer, Dean (Gladys) Graham , Elva Wilken, Audrey (Willard) Kilzer. Preceding him in death are his parents Earl and Opal McCasland and brother Dorral McCasland.
A gathering to celebrate Lile's life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at the Faith Bible Baptist Church in Yuma. Internment will take place at the Yuma Cemetery.
"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." II Corinthians 4:18