L. Eugene Basinger, 92, of Bluffton died 8:35 a.m. July 1, 2011 at Memorial Memorial Home, Bluffton. He was born on his family farm south of the Ebenezer Mennonite Church on Phillips Road in Bluffton on Feb. 14, 1919. He was the sixth of seven living children of Daniel J. and Elizabeth Bixel Basinger.

He attended the one-room Bucher School across from the Ebenezer Mennonite Church, where he was taught by an older sister and also learned English. He graduated from Bluffton High School, Bluffton College (BA), and University of Cincinnati (MA). He taught high school for over 35 years in Latty, Cridersville, Columbus Grove and Lima (Bath), Ohio.

He served in the Civilian Public Service during World War II in locations in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, New Jersey and Virginia. He met Lola Schertz, the CPS camp nurse at Grottoes, Virginia, and married her on July 8, 1948 at the home of her parents in Metamora, Illinois.

Mr. Basinger grew up at Ebenezer Mennonite Church and has been a member of First Mennonite, Bluffton, since 1960.

Gene and Lola lived their entire married life in Ohio: Lima, Cincinnati, Broughton, Vaughnsville and Bluffton. He is survived by his wife Lola and their three children: Doug (John Flickinger) Basinger of San Francisco, Ca, Deb Stechschulte of Coldwater, MI and, Jerome (Pam) Basinger of Chesterton, Ind. They have 5 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Franklin, Weldon and Bryan Basinger and three sisters, Charlotte Keller, Marcella Neuenschwander and Amelia Basinger.

Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Mennonite Church, Bluffton. Rev. Steven J. Yoder will officiate.

Burial will be in Ebenezer Mennonite Cemetery, Bluffton prior to the service.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services, Bluffton. Memorial contributions may be made to Bluffton University or the Swiss Community Historical Society. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.