Roy H. Castleman, Jr., 56, of Peoria, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at 5:15 a.m. at Proctor Hospital in Peoria, with his family by his side.
Roy was born on September 7, 1952 in Rosiclare, IL, a son of Roy Hartley and Mary Lou (Kerley) Castleman, Sr. He married Karen S. (Trowbridge) Vespa on October 21, 2004 in Las Vegas. His mother and his brother-in-law, and best friend, Robert Trowbridge, preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Karen S. Vespa Castleman of Peoria; father, Roy H. Castleman, Sr. of Washington; children, Nathaniel Castleman and Tara (Thomas) Fillman and their mother, Beth Bradley, all of Washington; step-children, Nicholas Vespa of Chatham and Christopher Vespa of Peoria; grandson, Tyce Joseph Fillman, at home; his loving dog, Buddy Castleman; and sisters, Sharon (Dale) Swanson of East Peoria, Karen Castleman of Washington and Beth (Kelly) Phelps of Springfield.
Roy was raised in Washington, where he graduated from Washington Community High School in 1970. He began a career at Thompson Food Basket, at the age of seventeen, as a bag boy. He eventually became their General Manager, where he managed and opened many new stores in the Peoria area. Upon leaving Thompson’s, he began a sales career with Burklund Distributors, where he loyally served for eleven years, ending his career as the Director of Sales.
He was an avid enthusiast of all sports. He especially loved watching the Bradley Braves, St. Louis Cardinal’s Baseball and Jeff Gordon with NASCAR.
Roy enjoyed gardening and landscaping. He took great pride in his lawn and loved spending time on his deck, admiring his lawn and landscaping.
His favorite pastimes include traveling with his wife; golfing and collecting golf memorabilia; and playing and coaching softball.
Roy also enjoyed Country Western music and loved spending time with his family. He was soft spoken, professional and loyal. He will be remembered as a man with a heart of gold and a man of integrity.
Roy was greatly loved by his family and friends and will be missed dearly.
Roy attended St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Peoria, where his Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 22, 2009, with Monsignor Jason Gray officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2009, at St. Vincent de Paul Parish.
Memorial contributions may be made in Roy’s memory to the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery or to Illinois CancerCare.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home in Peoria.
| Jan DuBre-Schloz |
| Kelly Stewart |
Roy and I were best friends for many of our early years growing up. We both lived on Carlson Ave. in Sunnyland and our families got together often. There wasn't much that we didn't do together. I can remember my parents or Roy's taking us to Hillcrest to golf. We would arrive about 7:30am and would be there until 4pm, 1 - 2 times a week. Golf in the morning and lunch and back out for more golf, with an occasional walk thru the woods looking for golf balls.
Another memory: Roy and I loved baseball. We were both Cardinal fans and listened to all games. However, due to boundaries in the area, our little league team was the Cubs. Well, we hated being the Cubs, but we loved baseball. Roy's family moved to Briargate road and with that move, he became a Cardinal. We were playing against each other, rather than together. It was tough, but we enjoyed baseball. I could get everyone on the Cardinal team out, except Roy. He knew me oh so well.
Gonna miss you, but I look forward to seeing you again in Heaven!!
Love, Kelly **Go Cards**
| Gale Thetford |
| Karen Castleman-sister |
Roy always wanted me to help on his paper route early in the mornings he would ride his bike and hand me the papers and i would have to take them to the houses i had to do the dirty work.
He would want his shirts ironed when he worked at thompson's food basket and he would pay me 25cents if he was desperate sometimes he would say he would pay the 25 cents and then after i ironed the shirt he would grab it and run and i got ripped off.
If he thought he was going to get into trouble he would fake a asthma attack he always got by with everything.
In one of his last e-mails to me he said he thinks Dad sold his kidney , he had found out he only had 1 kidney he said Dad had bought a top of the line 88 delta oldsmobile after Roy had been to the hospitall to have his tonsil's out.
He thought mowing the yard was cutting it to look like a golf course or a ball diamond
Our mom was scared to death of water she would take us swimming when there was a pool at Fondulac park and she would stand at the fence and holler Roy don't put your head under the water and it would embarrass him so bad.
I have alot of good memories from being a kid and growing up with him !
| Sharon Swanson---Roys Sister |
| F. Perez | My deepest condolences | May 18, 2019 |
The Bible says that death is our great enemy. However, the Bible also gives us hope! John 5: 28, 29 as well as Acts 24:15; indicate that there will be a resurrection of the just and unjust. Psalm 37:29 also promises that the righteous will possess the Earth. Through the pages of the Bible we can acquire knowledge and guidance that help us face the loss of our loved ones…It gives us a sure hope.
Please go to the following link for more information regarding the Hope expressed in this passage
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/dead-live-again-tract/dead-live-again
| C. Borurguet | My deepest condolence | May 20, 2017 |
| carol bersin | friend | May 28, 2009 |
Roy was my Burklund sales rep when I was the manager of the East Peoria Fast Stop. What a special person!!! He always had a smile and knew how to make me smile, too. I learned so much about the c-store business from him. The shelves of heaven will always be stocked and in neat order.
Karen, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
| Doug and Amy Ziegler | Friend | May 22, 2009 |
| Chuck and Brenda Copeland | friend | May 22, 2009 |
Tara, Nate and Mr. Castleman - Our deepest sympathy to you as you morn the loss of your Dad and Son. Our prayers are with you.
