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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 13G
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Amendment No.: *
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CASTLE BANCGROUP, INC.
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(Name of Issuer)
COMMON STOCK, $.33 par value
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(Title of Class of Securities)
14842P107
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(CUSIP Number)
March 25, 1998
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(Date of event which requires filing of this statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule
is filed:
/ / Rule 13d-1(b)
/x/ Rule 13d-1(c)
/ / Rule 13d-1(d)
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which
would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not
be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that
section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act
(however, see the Notes).
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CUSIP No.
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1. Name of Reporting Person
Ernest A. Basler
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2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (a) / /
Not Applicable (b) /X/
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3. SEC Use Only
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4. Citizenship of Place of Organization: USA
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Number of Shares 5. Sole Voting Power: 37,488
Beneficially --------------------------------------------
Owned by 6. Shared Voting Power: 106,025
Each Reporting --------------------------------------------
Person With: 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 37,488
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8. Shared Dispositive Power: 106,025
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9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 143,513
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10. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares / /
(See Instructions)
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11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 6.63%
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12. Type of Reporting Person: IN
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ITEM 1. ISSUER INFORMATION
(a) Name of Issuer: Castle BancGroup, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
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(b) Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices: 121 W. Lincoln Hwy.
DeKalb, Il. 60115
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ITEM 2. IDENTITY AND BACKGROUND
(a) Name of Person Filing: Ernest A. Basler
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(b) Residence: 515 East Fourth Street
Sandwich, Il. 60548-1715
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(c) Citizenship: USA
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(d) Title of Class of
Securities: Common Stock, $.33 par value per share
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(e) CUSIP Number: 14842P107
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ITEM 3. IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(b) (1) or
13d-2(b) or (c) check whether the person filing is:
(a) / / Brokers or dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act,
(b) / / Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act,
(c) / / Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a) (19) of the Act,
(d) / / Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, (15 U.S.C. 80a-8).
(e) / / Investment adviser in accordance with 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E),
(f) / / Employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with
13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F),
(g) / / Parent Holding Company or control person, in accordance with
Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G),
(h) / / Savings association as defined in Section 3 (b) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act,
(i) / / Church plan excluded from the definition of an investment
company under Section 3 (c)(14) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940,
(j) / / Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).
If this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(c), check this box. / X /
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ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 143,513
(b) Percent of Class: 6.63%
(c) Number of shares as to which person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 37,488
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(ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 106,025
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(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of: 37,488
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(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the disposition of : 106,025
ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS
N/A
ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON
Mr. Basler owns 106,025 jointly (JTWROS) with his wife, Shirley M.
Basler.
ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED
THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY
N/A
ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP
N/A
ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP
N/A
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ITEM 10. CERTIFICATIONS
(a) N/A
(b) By signing below, I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held
for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control
of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in
connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or
effect.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete
and correct.
Dated: March 25, 1998
/s/ Ernest A. Basler
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Ernest A. Basler
