Jasper Lewis

Jasper David Lewis, age 88, longtime resident of O’Fallon, Ill., passed away Friday, January 23, 2026, at Memorial Hospital, Shiloh, Ill., following complications from a stroke. Jasper was born September 26, 1937 in East St. Louis, Ill., the oldest of four children born to Jasper James and Cora B. Lewis, nee Vickery. The Illinois Central Railroad hired him at age 18, where he trained and worked as a switchman, retiring in 1999. In the early days he went to school to learn how to repair TVs and did small home improvement jobs to supplement his income before he became fulltime on the railroad. Jasper loved fishing and enjoyed his annual fishing trip with his buddies. Many of his summer weekends were spent camping, fishing and boating with family and friends. As a young man, he would hunt quail and deer and ride motorcycles, sometimes at the Belleville Enduro Team off road course with his friends. He enjoyed building and flying controlled line and radio-controlled airplanes along with being a private pilot and part owner of a Piper Tri-Pacer airplane. He liked playing the guitar and organ. His greatest joy was watching and spending time with his grandchildren over the years while they were growing up.

Jasper was a member of the Belleville R/C Flyers and the Millstadt Sportsman’s Club.

He was preceded in death by his wife Diana V. Lewis, nee Stygar; parents, siblings Charles, Dorothy (Junior) Fike, and Donna Tesson.

Survivors include his son Jasper G. “Jay” Lewis and wife Sheryl; grandchildren Andrea Lewis and Jason J. (Rachel) Lewis; great-grandson Jasper N. Lewis; dear friend and companion Louise “Lou” Joshlin; brother-in-law Chester (Barbara) Stygar; several nieces, nephews, and fishing buddies.

In memory of Jasper, memorial donations are suggested to America Diabetes Associaton. Online guestbook and photo tribute are available at www.wfh-ofallon.com.

Visitation will begin at 4 pm, Friday, January 30, 2026 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O’Fallon. Memorial Service will follow at 7:30 pm, Friday, at the funeral home with Pastor Christy Smith officiating. Private burial will be at O’Fallon City Cemetery, O’Fallon, Ill.