Kenneth J. Casler

Born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Aug. 20, 1952, he was the son of Kenneth M. and Antionette (Coppola) Casler.

Ken attended and graduated from Waddington Central High School. Following graduation, Ken served in the United States Navy. Ken eventually settled in Saranac Lake, where he met the love of his life Sheila Ohmann, whom he married on Nov. 19, 1977 at the A.M.A Chapel in Saranac Lake.

Ken was employed as a Plant Utility Engineer for the New York State Department of Corrections at various correctional facilities for over 30 years, retiring from Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora. Ken is a past member of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and a past member of the fire department’s dive team.

Ken enjoyed hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He especially loved bluegrass music and playing the banjo. He was a member of a couple of bluegrass bands over the years with his son Kris, most notably The Pine Ridge Rounders.

He is survived by his wife Sheila of Saranac Lake, three sons, Keefe Casler of Saranac Lake, Kristopher (Kristin) Casler of Mooers Forks and Kurt Casler of Saranac Lake, and two daughters, Lori (Jim) Holt of Red Hook, and Kristie (Corey) Inman of Savannah, Georgia, as well as seven grandchildren, Madison, Alison, Keefe, Owen, Kadence, Levi and Isabelle. He is also survived by three sisters, Christine Casler of Watertown, Therese Lesser of Santa Monica, California and Michelle Donoghue of Watertown, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, mother and sister Mary Liles.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake on Sunday, Feb. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. A funeral service will immediately follow at the funeral home at 3 p.m. with Rev. Martin Cline officiating. Burial will take place at St. Bernard Cemetery in Saranac Lake in the spring.

Friends wishing to remember Ken may make memorial contributions to the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department or the Saranac Lake Veterans Memorial Association in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their condolences and memories online at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.