Josephine A. Bassler

Josephine Ann “Josie” Bassler, age 97 years of Niles, Michigan passed away peacefully at 5:05 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 surrounded by family at her home.

She was born on April 20, 1920 in Niles to Joseph and Pauline (Modory) Medo.  She was graduated from Niles High School, and was first employed at the former Niles Co-Op.  She was later employed in the offices of the former Tyler Refrigeration, and – in “retirement” – was the bookkeeper for Pete’s Southside Marathon.  She had a severe stroke at age 88, or else she would still be working there!  She recovered to spend 9 more happy years on the family farm, where her four children and granddaughter Anna provided her care.

Josie was a member of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles.  She had a green thumb for a huge vegetable garden, and sold produce from her garden and eggs from her chickens.  She and her husband raised all kinds of livestock, and gave their children a wonderful life “on the farm”.

She was the behind-the-scenes mom, helping her children with school, 4-H projects, and horse show competitions.  She and Dick raised money for the Berrien County Youth Fair by coordinating an annual horse show the week before the fair.  She also enjoyed antiques, and her favorite pastime was attending auctions and estate sales with Dick.

She first met Dick while employed at the Co-Op, when he came in for farm supplies.  They were married on October 16, 1948 at Saint Mary Catholic Church, and celebrated the remarkable Sixtieth Anniversary of their wedding prior to his passing on November 17, 2008.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and by her sister, Margaret Medo and brothers, John Medo, Joseph Medo, and Steven Medo, DDS.

Surviving family includes her children, Sharon (& Bill) Marks of Osceola, Indiana, Richard Bassler of Niles, Lynn (& Bill) Porter of Terre Haute, Indiana, and Joanne Acevedo of Niles; Josie’s former son-in-law Raul Acevedo; grandchildren Richard (& Laura) Marks, Ph.D., Kristen (& Peter) DeBusschere, M.D., Brynne (& Laurent Barré) Bassler, Richard Bassler, Aaron (& Crystal) Acevedo, Anna Acevedo, and Alyse Acevedo; and great-grandchildren Nathan, Caleb, Adam, David, Peter, William, Bo, Mason, and Harper; a sister-in-law Anna (Mrs. Steven) Medo, and several nieces and nephews.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Josephine Bassler will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Saint Mary Catholic Church, 211 South Lincoln Avenue, Niles by the Rev. Christian Johnston of the parish.  Committal Rites will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday.  Contributions in memory of Mrs. Bassler may be made to Saint Mary Catholic Church, c/o Parish Center, 219 South State Street, Niles, MI  49120; www.stmarysniles.org.  Arrangements were made at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles.