Obit: Basara, Edward (1914 - 1980)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Basara, Belinoski, Novak, Williamson, Werdermann, Wojick, Smigla, Sprague

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) August 1980

Basara, Edward (6 March 1914 - 8 August 1980)

A Town of Dewhurst man, Edward Basara, 66, was found dead at his home, (Hwy 95 east of Merrillan) Friday afternoon.  Investigating officers arrived after a call by a niece and found the doors of the Basara home locked from the inside.  Upon breaking in, they found the body.

It was believed that Basara died three days earlier of natural causes.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning, August 12, from the Gesche Funeral Home, in Neillsville with the Rev. D. E. Sprague of the Neillsville Assembly of God officiating.  Burial was made in the Hatfield Cemetery.

The deceased was born on March 6, 1914, in Chicago to Adolph and Lucille (Belinoski) Basara. After receiving his education, he worked in Chicago and on September 2, 1939, he wed Emily Novak.  In 1951, he moved to Clark County, where he worked for the Green Bay and Western Railroad.  In 1956, the Basara family returned to Chicago where he worked for International Harvester Company, and Justrite Manufacturing Company.  He retired in 1969, returning to the Merrillan area.

Surviving him are two daughters, Mrs. William (Sandra) Williamson of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Mrs. Shirley Werdermann of Wildwood, Illinois; one sister, Mrs. Casimer (Stephanie) Wojick of Santee, California; two brothers, Stanley Basara of Chicago and Chester Smigla of Morton Grove, Illinois; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Emily, who passed away on September 11, 1969.

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) August 1980

Edward Basara, 66, of Merrillan, was found dead at his home, on Hwy 95 east of Merrillan, on Aug. 8.

He was born in Chicago and married Emily Novak there Sept. 2, 1939.  He lived there until 1951 when he moved his family to Clark County and was employed by the Green Bay and Western Railroad.  In 1956, he returned to Chicago and was employed by International Harvester Company and Justrite Manufacturing Company until 1969, when he retired and returned to the Merrillan area.

Survivors include two daughters, Sandra (William) Williamson of Virginia Beach, Va., Shirley Werdermann, of Wildwood, Ill.; a sister, Stephanie Wojick of Santee, Calif.; two brothers, Stanley of Chicago, Chester Smigla of Morton Grove, Ill.; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Emily on September 11, 1969.

Services were held Aug. 12 in Neillsville with the Gesche Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  The Rev. D. E. Sprague officiated and burial was made in the Hatfield Cemetery in Jackson County.

(Both copies of Mr. Basara’s obituary were supplied for the website by his daughter Shirley.)