Casey Faye Marie Aschan-Cox
April 8, 1992 ~ March 18, 2010
Casey Faye Marie Aschan-Cox, 17, of Johnston and Marion, died Thursday, March 18, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 21, 2010, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by Rev. Mark Woldruff. Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. A memorial service in the Des Moines area is being planned for a later date. She is survived by her mother, Cherie (Dustin Bumbarger) Ritchie, of Marion; her father, John (Mary) Cox, of West Seneca, New York; her dad, Craig (Jeannie Claussen) Ritchie, of Marion, her siblings, Abigail and Allyson Ritchie, Bryce Bumbarger, Thomas and Michael Cox, and Matthew Cooney-Cox; maternal grandparents, Jeff and Cathy Clarke of Central City, Carroll and Bonnie Ritchie of Marion, and Mark Aschan Sr. of Des Moines; paternal grandparents, Franklin Cox of La Belle, Missouri, and Dwayne Hess of Apple Valley, Minnesota; maternal great grandparents, Roger and Susan Clarke of Central City, and Terry and Margaret Aschan Sr. of Des Moines; paternal great grandmother, Pauline Hess, of Fowler, Illinois; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Casey was born April 8, 1992, in Cedar Rapids. She grew up in this area and attended Excelsior Junior High School before moving to Johnston, Iowa, in 2006. On Tuesday, March 16, 2010, she proudly graduated from the Johnston Community High School. She had a great love for her family and friends and enjoyed life to the fullest. Casey will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Casey was preceded in death by her paternal grandmothers, Theresa Hess and Joanne Cox; and maternal great grandfather, Neff Ritchie. A memorial fund has been established.
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Cherie and all of Casey’s family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Casey was and will continue to be a bright light in this world.
Much love and Hugs,
Nicole
i love and miss you casey im soo sorry that i couldnt make it to see you beforeyou passed you will be missed from all over the country you have had so many people praying for you but now you are in such a better place i cant wait to see you in heaven so we can hang out and go to them heaven clubs ok love you cuzin
Casey, I remember you from MDA Summer Camp at Camp Courageous. You always had a sparkle in your eye as you always seemed to be having a good time there.
I pray you’re now in a place where’s there’s no pain and only happiness.
My condolences to your family.
Sincerely,
Cary J. Hahn
News Director
1450 KMRY Radio, Cedar Rapids
Former CBS2 MDA Telethon Host)
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
With love, Aunt Vicki
My thoughts and prayers to Casey’s family and friends.. Life is a journey and Casey made the best of that, May she have another journey after life and enjoy every moment of happiness.. hold the memories dear to yourself that you and Casey had here on Earth and know that she is in a better place pain free and always happy! Again, My thoughts and prayers!
Angela Wiltsey and Family…
I miss my turtle so much. She is my angel now and will never be forgotten or lost in the woodwork. She is with God now and watching all of us that are still here.
Cherie and family, once again you all are in my prayers. You have my deepest sympathy for your loss. Casey has her wings now, and I know she’s looking down on all of you with love. May you find peace in your hearts. Love Sarah
Casey IS and inspiration to many and will always be a significant part of JHS. Her love of life, dedication to achieving her goals and just fun loving personality has made JHS a better place to for everyone. I am SO proud of her accomplishments, SHE earned them every step of the way. May God grant you the comfort of knowing that Casey lived the credo “It’s not what you do take with you, but you leave for others that counts”. I am forever thankful that I was fortunate enough to have known Casey.
I am the librarian at Excelsior Middle School and have fond memories of Casey when she attended Excelsior. She always had a smile on her face and a positive attitude. I am so sorry to hear of her passing. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
I’ll remember Casey as a girl who wanted to live, go to school, and realize the potential of every moment she had. She lit our class room with optimism and eagerness. She loved going to school. She loved being with her classmates. I know she loved life, in spite of the many obstacles she faced. My thoughts are with her family and friends today, and I wish them peace.
Casey you will be missed. You were loved and will continue to be loved. Thank you for blessing our lives with your strength and courage and showing us and others how to live proudly.
Love Always,
Uncle Lee
I met Casey when she first moved to Johnston and attended the middle school. She was a firecracker and knew just how she wanted things. She would not rest until it was done to her specifications. I believe Casey taught many of us to listen as she knew how to solve many problems she encountered and could instruct others to be her hands and feet if they would listen to her exact instructions. I will miss her spunk that lit up the halls of JHS. Her NEVER GIVE UP attitude despite all life’s incredibly difficult obstacles is a great example for all who knew Casey. I believe Casey is DANCING in heaven in her finally healed body. It was an honor to have been a part of her life and I am thankful for the many memories and laughs!
John/Mary Cox, Cherie & family: What an inspiration to living! Casey will be missed here on earth but “very loved” when she is greeted by her first cousins Oliver & Teonnie (T.K.) Barrows (Krauel) in heaven. No more “disabilities” but only “ABILITIES” and to know that she’ll be running, playing and having a good time up there.
Our hearts and our prayers are with you Cherie and all of your family. Thank you so much for sharing her with us. Much love,
Cathy, Mike, Logan, and Mason O’Donnell
Im really glad I got you see you those last two days in the hospital, i got my chance to tell you in person that your a wonderful teen who deserves the best. If every im in trouble i will think of you and im sure you can help me out up there. I love you Casey and am sorry you time with us was so short.
I was priveleged to have had Casey as a student last year and this past semester at JHS. I always appreciated her efforts and willingness to share her opinion, and she always had an opinion! To her family, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers as you get through this difficult time.
God saw Casey getting tired and a cure was not to be. So He put His arms around her and whispered “come to me.” With tearful eyes we watched her, and saw her pass away. Although we loved Casey dearly, we could not make her stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hardworking hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.
I had the privilege of working with Casey in Johnston. What I loved most about Casey was her way of not letting anything get in the way of her dreams and goals in life! My prayers are with all of Casey’s family as you are going through this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Ashley Quick
fly free, find your peace, let no hurt bind you anymore, let know pain hold you down spread your wings and fly free find your peace
we were stronger in numbers with you, as you my dear, may be just 1 yong lady, but you come with the power of 5,000 warriors. so with this said, we grow weaker in quantity but stronger in quality for you have taught us; the strength of percevereince, the kindness of compassion and the power of friendship. you my angel have left your print in the souls of each and every person who was so lucky to cross your path. you made waves that will carry for years to come. and for that, you are a legend.
your time has come, spread your wings, find your peace, fly my dear you are free.
Hello….my deepest sympathy for you and your family. I am a respiratory therapist who worked with Casey in the hospital at Blank. I truly enjoyed working with her even though she was not always feeling her best. My husband also adored Casey, he is the officer in the schools at Johnston and always enjoyed Casey’s smile. I think she enjoyed him as much as he did. We are both truly sad about her passing and we wanted to send our thoughts, prayers, hugs and love to you and your family. Take care!
josh and casey
i can remember when we were young we would play video games and that girl was so good at video games she would almost always beat me i had to have my game face on whenever we battled even at raceing video games that girl could beat my socks off of me
meeting Casey
I am new to Johnston and have lived here only for two years but in that time i have come to know and love Casey. We met in people p.e last semester and that’s when we started to get close. See people p.e is where kids that need help can team up with a normal p.e class and play games and go on walks together. it was a team effort type of thing and Casey was the leader! She was always so jazzed about p.e and would tell you to knock it off if you were goofing off or not trying hard enough. Casey knew everyone and everyone knew and loved Casey. One time these boys were throwing Frisbees and it hit Casey’s chair. A friend of mine, Casey and I went to tell their p.e teacher to tell them to knock it off. I thought Casey would be hurt inside or something but oh no! Not our Casey, she went up to those boys and told them loud and clear to stop now or she would blank-ing run them over!! (You can guess what word she actually said!) she had a strong heart then and still has one now. After that day I knew she was a strong independent person, a person who wouldn’t let people bring her down. She’s in every way a role model to myself and my class mates. If people at Johnston were as compassionate and determined as Casey was, we would be the best school in the world. I hate to say good bye to such a kind,sweet, cool girl like Casey, but its not really goodbye just “I will see you later”. So to Casey i will say;
I will see you again soon friend, save me a seat by the pool that’s filled with love, hope, friendship,and compassion.
We are so sorry for your loss,Casey was a trooper,a Sweet Heart, and we will miss her greatly.Casey,I know you are up there running and playing with Gods Angels. You go Girl.
I was lucky enough to be one of Casey’s teachers during her 9th grade year at JMS. She was in one of my smaller English classes and we had so many laughs with Casey and Angie, Casey’s aide. Casey’s math teacher that year, Mrs. Roling, was expecting a baby and we planned a surprise baby shower for her and I have never seen a student so full of life, love and selflessness as she helped plan the shower with us. Casey was delighful, beautiful and full of life and will be greatly missed. My thoughts are prayers are with her family.
I will miss our long talks
and the times yout old me your dreams…I am glad I was able to hug you before you went to heaven. I will miss eating gold fish in the library but will giggle when I think of it. maj
I am grateful to have been able to know Casey in a few classes in the past 3 years, and in PE, because you were a very positive and kind person. May your life continue to shine a light to people in the world who still need it. Rest peacefully, sincerely Jordan B.
Sad to see you had to go sorry didn’t get to see you before then will always miss ya Casey
Casey was in my 6th grade health class. We started talking after we found out we shared the same Birthday. Without a doubt one of the sweetest brightest people I’ve ever met. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Casey Casey girl i am so glad i got to meet u i met u in 10th grade i remeber seeing u zoom threw them hallways i am sooooooooooooooooooooooo glad Mr.Stratton gave ME the opertunite to work with u in study hall help u right and girl u were soooo smart….. i remember the first day i was with u you made me go to the office to get a big paper clip to hold ur book so u could read it.. i love u i miss you u. You put up ur good fight now its time to let go buttttttttt i will always remeber you i will think about u everyday…..
Casey will always be in our heart. Randy looked forward to helping with her when ever he could. Now they will betogether in heaven, having a good time.
Our sympathy goes out to all her family.
Condoleance from the Pearson’s
Cherie-Casey will be missed & she will always be loved. Just remember she is not in pain no more. She is running free up in heaven now.
Casey was an amazing young lady. I enjoyed helping transport her to and from school. I was the bus associate on bus 12. I enjoyed seeing her bright smile no matter what kind of day she had. I can remeber one time when she had a dance to go to for school and she wanted her hair dyed. I told her to ask her mom if it was alright from her mom I would come over and color her hair to her liking. She came on the bus the bus the next day and with a huge smile on her face and said MY MOM SAID I COULD DYE MY HAIR. I came over the next night and I dyed her hair and she said I look like a new person now I can get all the boys.. It was too cute. I will miss her greatly. May she rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go family and friends. R.I.P. Casey Love ya girl!!!
We all love you and are thinking of you in your time of need. Even my monster-in-law asked after you when I saw her on Saturday.
Know that we are hear for you whenever you need us.
Casey you are missed so much. I am so glad I was at the hospital to see you last week. Your funeral was a celebration of your life. You would have loved it. There were so many people there, I am glad I was there to be a part of it.You would have loved the story that I gave them to share 🙂 I miss you and love you!
Even in death you will not be forgotten in our hearts Casey. RIP You are with the Lord.
I truly enjoyed having Casey as a student in the Wheel chair dancing program. Her smile lit up the classroom each week, and lit up the stage at recital. She was a joy to teach and get to know. Although our time together was short, she left a footprint on my heart, and she will never be forgotten. I hope she is dancing right now.
Casey taught me a lot. Although I didn’t know her very well or for very long, she impacted me. She was always joyful. It made me realize that life is a joyful thing. We should all be happy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. We know Casey was a special and bright young lady. Be comforted to know that she touched the lives of a lot of people and she wont be forgotten!
Casey was an amazing girl. She knew what she wanted and would find a way to get it. My heart goes out to you as the family. I’m sorry I missed the funeral. I wish I could have been there. If you need to vent or anything just let me know. I’m here for you. Just know she is watching over all of us every day.
I didn’t know Casey personally, but I knew her through her mother Cherie. I remember what a brave fight Casey had 4 years ago when I first met Cherie in an online virtual world and she wasn’t expected to survive. But she fought back and gave her family another 4 years of joy and I know she would have tried her best to fight again, but this time her inner strength couldn’t fight back. She will always be in the hearts of those who loved her dearly. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
I was fortunate to have had met Casey for the wonderful young woman she was. I was able to be there when Casey finally seemed comfortable in the swimming pool with her laughing/smiling having a great time. Know that your family is in my heart and thoughts. Casey you will be missed.
Casey always brightened my day. Her outlook on life was so inspiring. Whether we were looking up dance moves or working on an art project, Casey was always a joy to spend time with. I am thankful that I got a chance to know her.
-Laura, Child Life Specialist Blank Chilren’s Hosptial
You will always be in my heart Casey. My prayers are with you and your family.
I’ll alwise love you for being yourself.
with my love
grandpa aschan
What I would like to share about Casey is how she was always full of smiles. I did
not see her as she was older .. But the younger casey I knew was a very strong gal who knew what she wanted.. I Pray for peace for her family and friends she left behind.. I can still remember her scooting on her bottom until she got
to see me for her hugs when
she was 3 yrs old.. Love to Casey and her family