Harold Basch, 73, of Empire, died Monday at his home after an extended illness.
The son of Claus and Wilhelmina Basch, he was born at Port Oneida on Jul 14, 1903, and on Dec 27, 1932, at Frankfort, was married to Marcella Coppens. Mr. Basch, who lived in Leelanau County all his life, lived at Empire the past 44 years.
He was a member of St. Philip's Catholic Church of Empire.
Mr. Basch worked on the Lower Lake steamboats for 25 years and retired in 1943 with the rank of captain. Later he was a farmer and drove a school bus for Glen Lake School System.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Arthur and Carl William. He is survived by his widow, two daughters, Mrs. James (Marie) Chambers of Coldwater and Mrs. Bernard (Margaret) Schultz of Alpena; and eight grandchildren.
The funeral mass is scheduled for 10:30 am Thursday at St. Philip's Neri Catholic Church, Empire, with father Edwin Roczen celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
A rosary will be recited at the church at 7:30 pm Wednesday.
Friends may call at Martinson-Covell Funeral Home of Traverse City beginning at 6 pm today and continuing until 4 pm Wednesday. Visitation will be available at the church from 6 pm Wednesday until time of the rosary.
Memorials may be directed to the Michigan Heart Association, envelopes and mass cards are available at the funeral home.
