Susan E. Caslin, 65, of Alexis, IL, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg, IL.
Susan was born February 29, 1960 in Quantico, Virginia, the daughter of William E. and Donna ‘Marlene’ (Woolsey) Caslin. After spending her early years in Virginia and South Carolina, she was raised and educated in Alexis, IL, graduating from Alexis High School in 1978.
She received a bachelor’s degree in double majors of Journalism/Mass Communication and English in 1982 from lowa State University, where she was president of the Society of Professional Journalists. She was cited as one of two SPJ-SDX Outstanding Journalism Graduates at ISU in 1982, having received various awards within the journalism department.
From 1982 to 1994, Susan served in reporting, editing, and photography posts at two newspapers in Arkansas and Louisiana, winning several awards and citations for news coverage. In the early 1990s, she served two terms on the Louisiana Emergency Response Commission, having been appointed to the post by governors Buddy Roemer and Edwin Edwards. For 20 years, she worked in international investment banking. She was an editor, and then assistant editorial supervisor, at EVEREN Securities in Chicago. She subsequently moved to the Dutch firm ABN AMRO, and later Royal Bank of Scotland. At RBS, she was one of four U.S. members of the Global Research and Production staff based in London, England, telecommuting from the U.S. to work daily with equity analysts in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. She subsequently was Communications Editor at Weltman Bernfield in Buffalo Grove, IL. She was a part-time editorial consultant for Blue Corner Solutions, Inc. of New York.
In semi-retirement, she worked as a paraprofessional/substitute teacher within CUSD #304. She was at one point supervisor of Warren County YMCA’s After-School program at United North Elementary. The United CUSD #304 School Board awarded her the ‘U Made a Difference’ award in the 2019-20 school year for her efforts on behalf of students, including establishing the annual Caslin Memorial STEM Scholarship in memory of her parents. She also served as a member of the Alexis Community Fund Advisory Board. The Galesburg Community Foundation made Susan a member of The Bickerdyke Society, recognizing her efforts to establish a permanent endowment to United North Elementary School upon her death.
She loved reading, classical music, studying British and Russian history, theology, organizing, and traveling.
Survivors include her brothers, Dave Caslin and Mike (Bonnie) Caslin; nieces, Jennifer and Molly; nephews, Brian and Chris; 7 great-nieces and nephews; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; niece, Betsy Caslin; paternal and maternal grandparents; and her aunts and uncles on both sides.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A private family celebration of life will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Caslin Scholarship Fund, United North Elementary School, c/o The Principal, 411W. Hunt Alexis, IL 61412. McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL is in charge of the arrangements. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com
