April 12, 1909-Feb. 9, 2006

Justino 'Jap' Casassa, 96, Brazil, died Thursday at his residence west of Brazil.

Born in Perth, Indiana, he was the son of Dominic and Margaret Casassa.

He married Mary Kathleen (Hathaway) Casassa on Nov. 5, 1932. She died in 1975.

His family founded Casassa's Dairy Farm, a business which operated in Clay County for 70 years. A sportsman, he also had a river cabin on Big Walnut Creek in Putnam County. He was the owner and operator of the Brazil Gun Club for 40 years, and was a member of the Annunciation Church in Brazil. He was a life member of Elks Lodge 762 and he also belonged to the American Trap Shooting Association.

Surviving are four children, Mary Ann Trout and husband Virgil, Margaret Ellen Kennedy and husband John, James Dom Casassa and wife Lois, and Jack Steven Casassa and wife Patricia, all of Brazil; a sister, Christina Stough; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three brothers, Jesse, Dom and James, and a sister Katherine Biggs.

Services will be conducted at French Funeral Home, Brazil.