Irving “Irv” Cassel, November 13, 2021.

Beloved husband for over 71 years of the late Josephine “Jo” (Fishkop) Cassel; dear father and father-in-law of Merle (Norman) von Wettberg, Douglas M. (Joyce) Cassel and Randee L. (Seth Chernick) Cassel; loving son of the late Paul and the late Bertha (Steinberg) Cassel and son-in-law of the late Harry and the late Fraudel Fishkop; dear brother of the late Lorraine (the late Harry) Stein and the late Joseph (the late Anita) Cassel; survived by 6 grandchildren, 4 great children and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and former business associates. A special acknowledgment and thank you to Neverette B. who cared for Irv with unmatched love and devotion as well as Irv’s other long time caregivers Melba, Diane, Karen, Nita, and Tina and those at Brookdale Creve Coeur and Pathways Hospice.

Irv was born in 1925 and raised during the Depression on Hamilton Avenue in his beloved St. Louis where he lived and worked his entire life.  Irv met Jo when they were 14 and 16 while riding the same streetcar each day to Soldan High School. Upon graduating from Soldan (where he enjoyed singing baritone in the chorus), Irv enlisted in the Navy and was accepted into the prestigious V-12 officer’s training program. He spent the remaining two years of the war attending college at Iowa State and UCLA and his summers serving as a signalman and a helmsmen on a sub-chaser off the coast of San Diego. After the war ended he returned to St. Louis, married Jo, completed his studies at St. Louis U, and began a successful career in business – by the 1980s ultimately building one of the largest independent family owned ladies ready to wear companies in the country.  He retired at 59 and enjoyed many years of retirement and travel, including time with family all over the US.

Graveside service at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, 7500 Olive Blvd. Memorial contributions preferred to the ADL, Bnai Brith, or Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road, 63141. Visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information.

BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE