Edward Lee Casteen

Edward L. Casteen passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026, at the Carl Vinson Medical Center in Dublin, Georgia at the age of 94. He was born in Long, County, Georgia, on the 1st day of July 1931 to William Hosea and Later Jewel Kent Casteen as the fifth of eight children.

Edward spent 22 years in the United States Army and retired as a Master Sergeant on August 31, 1971. MSG Casteen received many military awards and honors including the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) with one oak leaf cluster (OLC), the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC), the Army of Occupation Medal (AMO), six Good Conduct Medals (GCM), four Overseas Bars (O/S), indicating four tours of duty of at least six months durations in the combat zone, the Vietnam Service Medal (SHM), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM), the Army Commendation Medal (ACM) with three oak leaf clusters and "V" device (the "V" is worn to denote participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy), the Bronze Star Medal (BSM), for 'Meritorious achievements" in a combat zone, the Silver Star (our nation's third highest award for valve and gallantry in battle), and a Purple Heart.

Upon his arrival in Germany, Private Casteen was assigned to an infantry division and was sent immediately to a six-month German language course to become the interpreter for his unit. This new skill came in handy for him in February 1952 where he met his young Fraulein Irmgard "Emmy" Maier and they were married that year.

Edward also worked for a six-month stint for the Glennville Police Department after retiring from the Army. He worked as Head of Industries with the Georgia Department of Corrections for 26 years where he received numerous awards including being nominated for the 1980 Correction Industries Association Award for Supervisory Excellence, 1990 Employee of the Year Award and becoming a finalist for the same award in 1994. He retired in 1996 at Smith State Prison in Glennville, Georgia.

He will be sorely missed.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Irmgard Maier Casteen and his daughter, Dian Casteen Fields.

He is survived by his children, Eleonore Casteen Bailey and husband, Phil of Milledgeville, Georgia, Patricia Casteen Driggers of Milledgeville, Georgia, Debra Casteen Dubberly and husband, Tim of Glennville, Georgia, Douglas Casteen and wife, Leisa of Hagan, Georgia, Alicia Casteen Stanley and husband, Stacy of Johnson Corner, Georgia; 19 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, seven great great grandchildren; sister, Annette Maund and husband, Asa of Glennville, Georgia; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm, Monday, February 16, 2026 at Brannen Family Funeral Services. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm, Monday, February 16, 2026, at the chapel of Brannen Family Funeral Services. Burial will follow in the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to: Wreaths Across America.

Care and Services are entrusted to Brannen Family Funeral Services, Glennville, Georgia. "Our Family Serving Your Family."