Raef Casner

Raef Cameron-Lee Casner, age 17, Iola, passed away on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. Raef was born March 19, 2001, in Chanute, Kansas, to Keith Casner and Lea (Dillingham) Thomas.

Raef attended school at Iola High School, where he was currently a junior.

Raef loved video games, including but not limited to Pokémon, Mario Brothers, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro. Known as a movie buff, Raef loved many Disney, superhero, sci-fi movies, and would always have seen movie trailers before friends and family knew about them. Some of his favorites include, The Incredibles, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Terminator movies, and The Simpsons. 

A highlight of Raef’s life was going to Disneyland and Universal Studios twice and Coco Beach. He was once an honoree at a Sporting KC event. Raef will be remembered for his kind heart and caring soul. It seemed no matter who met him, doctor, nurse, teacher or stranger, everybody loved Raef. He never knew a stranger and always thought of family and friends before himself. To him, family meant everything. It is his kind soul and caring smile that will be remembered the most.

Raef was preceded in death by his Grandfather Merle Casner and Grandmother JoAnn Dillingham and cousin Briawna Dillingham.

Raef is survived by his mother and step-father, Lea Thomas and husband, Doug, Iola; father, Keith Casner, Iola; one sister, Amalia Thomas, Norman, Okla.; three brothers, Chris Baker and Crystal Driskill, Lawrence, Justin Baker and Laney Corrina, Colorado, Evan Casner, Iola; grandmother, Erla Casner, Fort Scott, grandparents, Sam and Marion Thomas, Girard; one niece Kiana Baker; one nephew Kai Baker; and numerous other relatives.

A celebration of life for Raef will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, 1883 US Hwy 54, Iola. The memorial service will be followed by a visitation at the funeral home.

The family has requested for friends and family to wear Pokémon, Disney, or superhero attire in memory of Raef. Friends are asked to think of a story or fond memory they can share at the memorial service.

Memorials are suggested to the Raef Casner Memorial Fund, and can be left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. If flowers are given, the family requests they be white lilies.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com