W. Kent Cassell's Obituary
Forsyth - Wilson Kent Cassell, 87, of Forsyth, Ill., entered eternal life at 11:50 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Kent was born Sept. 7, 1938, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur, Ill., to Harold Otto and Edna Verneal (Thrasher) Cassell. He was a fifth generation Cassell to be born and raised in Decatur. He attended Washington Grade School, Roosevelt Junior High School and graduated in 1956 from Decatur High School. During high school, Kent worked at Chaps Amusement Park as the train engineer that circled the park. He served in the United States Army Reserves following high school graduation.
He met Barbara Jo Heil in January 1960 on a blind date at the Shore Restaurant in Decatur. They became engaged on Aug. 14, 1960 and were married May 6, 1961 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Decatur. A lunch reception followed the Nuptial Mass at The House of Plenty in Decatur. On Nov. 20, 1962, Kent and Barb welcomed their son, Michael Kent, into their family.
In February 1962, Kent began working at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) in the Transportation Department. After 42 years working in the Transportation Department at ADM, Kent retired in February 2004. He was a past member of the Transportation Club of Decatur.
In retirement, Kent enjoyed woodworking in his wood shop, crafting several heirloom pieces for his family. He was a faithful participant at cardiac rehab sessions at Decatur Memorial Hospital. He also participated in weightlifting and TRX classes at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center.
Kent was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Decatur, where he served as an usher for 41 years. He and Barb began taking ballroom dancing lessons in the fall of 1981 with Dorothy Foster’s Dance Studio. They ballroom danced for more than 34 years throughout central Illinois.
On Dec. 8, 2006, Kent welcomed his 17-month-old grandson, Guerin Michael Cassell, from Prokopyevsk, Russia at the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington, Ill. Guerin stole Kent’s heart, referring to Kent as Boppie.
Kent is survived by his wife, Barb, of 64 years; son Mike and his wife, Mary of Forsyth; grandson, Guerin of Forsyth; sister, Nelda McNicol of Tolono, Ill.; nieces, Marcia Beyer of Bloomington, Ill.; Marilyn Quick of Bement, Ill.; Diane Heil of Naperville, Ill.; nephews, John Heil of Salem, Ala.; Steve Heil of Westmont, Ill.; and cousin, Linda Davis of Decatur.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harold Cassell on Nov. 17, 1980, and his mother, Edna Cassell on Feb. 27, 2006. An older brother, Harold Cassell, Jr., died at birth on Sept. 10, 1930.
Mass of the Resurrection will be at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 3850 Lourdes Drive, Decatur. Saturday, Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. Entombment immediately follows the funeral in the Star of Hope Mausoleum at Graceland Cemetery, Decatur. Moran & Goebel Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements. Memorials to the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, Mission Advancement, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Ind, 47876-1099.
Condolences and memories may be shared at https://moranandgoebel.com.
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