Submitted by: Dan Rich
Paul R. Basham
Feb. 24, 1928 -- Dec. 6, 2003
Paul R. Basham, 75, of West Packard Ave., South Bend, Ind., passed away at 11:50 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend.
Mr. Basham was born on Feb. 24, 1928, in Logansport, Ind., and was a lifetime resident of the Michiana area.
On Sept. 7, 1955, in Valentine, Ind., he married the former Alice J. Tetzlaff, who survives. He is also survived by a daughter, Kay A. (Rex) Basham of South Bend; three sons, Kenneth C. Basham of Rochester, Ind., Jeff L. Basham of South Bend, and Russell A. (Anne) Basham of South Bend; five loving grandchildren, Joseph, Daniel, and David Gondocs, Nicole L. Boyd, and Jarred A. Fairchild; and by a sister, Carolyn J. (Curt) Neiswender of South Bend.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Charles R. and Pearl K. (Minglin) Basham; and a brother, Donald E. Basham on April 19, 1998.
Mr. Basham was an avid NASCAR fan, loved wood working and was a collector of farm equipment.
Paul retired from Walsh & Kelley Corp. as a heavy equipment operator. He also served in the U.S. Army and was proud to be a veteran serving his country.
Mr. Basham was a wonderful, loving, caring husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his family and always place them first. He will not only be missed by his loving family, he will be missed by all who knew him. He made numerous friends along his life journey.
Visitation hours will be Monday, Dec. 8, and Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. in Hanley & Sons "Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home located at West Ireland Road/Indiana 23, South Bend.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10 in Hillside Missionary Church located at 21567 W. Ireland Rd., South Bend. Rev. Ken Fetter will officiate and entombment to follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola, Ind. Friends will be received in the church one hour prior to service time.
The family request that all memorial contributions be made to the St. Joseph County Heart Association.
The HANLEY & Sons "Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home handled arrangements and services and extend deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Basham family. (nf)