Laura Fay Bassitt had worked at Lima Locomotive Works
Laura Fay Bassitt, 88, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at 4:24 p.m., at the Lost Creek Care and Rehabilitation Center. Fay was born June 13, 1927 in Hardin County, Ohio, to Charles R. and Pearl R. (Peggs) Johnson who preceded her in death.
Fay and Robert E. (Bob) Bassitt, Sr. were married on horseback at the Labor Day Rodeo in Ada on Sept. 1, 1947. They were together for over 67 years when Robert died on April 7, 2015.
Fay was a member of the Congregational Christian Church in Lafayette. She had worked as a messenger on roller skates toward the end of WWII at the Lima Locomotive Works.
Fay had also worked at Home Service Laundry in Lima, the Truck Stop Restaurant in Beaverdam, and Triplett Corporation in Bluffton. She also taught Bible school in Lafayette. Fay was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 370.
Survivors include: two children; Robert E. (Janet ) Bassitt, Jr. of Wapakoneta, and Linda K. (Daniel) Fleming of Bluffton, six grandchildren, Jeremy Fleming of Bluffton, Angela (Eric) Lewis of New Albany, Jason (Cynthia) Fleming of Bluffton, Michael (Cristina) Bassitt of Washington state, David (Sheila) Bassitt of Idaho, Brian (Michelle) Bassitt of Columbus, OH, 10 great grandchildren, Mariah (Greg) Short, Sidney and Gabby Lewis, Kyle, Liliana and Jacob Fleming, Jacob and Philip Bassitt, Sadie and Makenna Bassitt and two great- great-grandchildren, Auden and Leah.
Fay had 12 siblings who preceded her in death, three brothers, Charles Lewis, Robert Rollin, and Richard Vernon Johnson, and nine sisters, Norma Idorah Donnal, Sarah Dolores Donnal, Vera Stella Donnal, Violet Iona Johnson, Daisy Pearl Lawrence, Baby Johnson, Alice Marie Keysor, Mollie Rosetta Harsh and Ola Lavon Johnson.
Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. at the Chiles-Laman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Bluffton, Chapel.
Officiating the service will be Rev. Carol Clement. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery following the service. Friends may call on Friday, Sept. 4, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Bluffton Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Allen County Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed at chiles-lamanfh.com.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Friday, August 7, 2026
- BHS Junior Class to hold Post Prom fundraiser on Sept. 13
- Aug. 23 anniversary celebration at Tri-County Family Assembly of God
- Pirate boys golf 10th at L-B Invite
- Save these dates: Four more months of America 250 events in Bluffton
- Lens turns Bluffton's NNO fireworks to neon
- Should all beavers beware of Buc-ee's logo litigation?
- Letter: As Ohio grows, conservation must become part of the conversation
- 2026 Lincoln Highway Buy Way sales August 13-15
- History you can taste: Bluffton celebrates local businesses on Aug. 8
Thursday, August 6, 2026
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
- History Day scavenger hunt with 12 clues
- Remembering the magic of Hankish sweet shop on Aug. 8
- Pirate boys golf opens with a win at Ft. Jennings, 2nd at Royal Invite
- Pirate girls golf opens season with Lincolnview Invite
- WIP Wednesday: Bluffton Scrap Artist Quilters
- July 2026 land transfers in the Bluffton school district