Ardith Ann McCaslin, 76, of Rochelle, passed away on Friday, June 10, 2016, at Serenity Hospice and Home. Ardith was born February 21, 1940 in Rochelle, the only child of Donald and Vada (Cook) Dittmar. She was united in marriage to Raymond Ellis McCaslin on October 18, 1958, in Creston. He preceded her in death on February 11, 2012. In addition to her parents, Ardith is also preceded in death by her infant son, Steven.

Ardith's passions were anything and everything arts and crafts related and cooking. She had an artistic flair that was evident in her home and the homes of her family, making countless cross stitch pictures, quilts, a variety of knitted items, painted pictures, lathe pictures and doll houses. Ardith loved to go to garage sales and antique stores where her artistic eye found the beauty in the mundane and often times transformed it into a treasure. She collected cookbooks and enjoyed reading through them and experimenting with new recipes. The family was especially fond of her Chinese meals.

Ardith enjoyed a challenge and usually had a puzzle going on the end of the dining room table, a Sudoku book nearby which she worked daily and was always up for a game of Scrabble. She craved new information and enjoyed reading autobiographies and watching the History Channel and game shows. As Ardith became less mobile she liked watching QVC and purchasing "surprise" gifts throughout the year for her family. She also received countless catalogs and thrilled the great-grandchildren with her unique birthday and Christmas gift selections.

Ardith is survived by two daughters, Sue (Bill) Messer of Rochelle and Jane (Kelli Draper) McCaslin of Dixon; her son, Dan McCaslin of Lee; nine grandchildren, Brad (Missy) Messer, Steve (Stephanie) Messer, Jake (Amanda) Messer, Chris Butler, Laura (Troy) Butler-Davis, and Lauren, Ben, D.J., and Madison McCaslin; great-granchildren, Noah, Owen, Crew, Sofi, Ellery and Tesa Messer and Paige Davis; and Sister-in-laws Mary (Ron) Korth of Rochelle and Alice McCaslin of Vernon Hills, IL.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 P.M., Friday, June 17, 2016, at the Unger Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., in Rochelle. A funeral service will immediately follow the visitation at 6 P.M. at the funeral home with Chaplain Judy Williams officiating. Cremation rites will follow. Memorials may be directed to Serenity Hospice and Home. Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.