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- Jackson Citizen Patriot
November 1, 2011
Robert M. Bassett
(Picture Included)
Bassett, Robert M. - Of Saline, Michigan, passed away peacefully at Brookdale Place of Ann Arbor on Sunday, October 30, 2011. He was born on February 12, 1920, near Farmington Road and 14 Mile in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, the son of Oral and Reta (Rose) Bassett. He married Adelle C. Campbell in 1947, and is survived by sons from that marriage, Rob (Ann) of Brookfield, Wisconsin; Joe (Susi) of Palm Desert, California; and Scott (the late Tammy) of Traverse City, Michigan. In 1968, Robert married Treva Outen, who passed away in 1975. In 1976, Robert married Julie Lyke, she preceded him in death in 1993. Robert grew up on the farm, loving the smell of freshly turned earth, and all aspects of the farm life. He went to work for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company in 1941 as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver. He entered the Army in January of 1942, and served in the 106 Anti-Aircraft Artillery SB as a gunner, radio operator and truck driver. Following his discharge in 1945, he returned to Michigan Bell, where he remained until taking a medical disability retirement due to blindness in 1968. He never lost his love of heavy equipment or radio operations, working with the Saline Cab Company as a dispatcher, and attending the Threshers reunion and the Saline Community Fair following his retirement. He and Julie moved from Ypsilanti to Jackson County, where they lived until her passing. In 1994, at the urging of friends, he returned to live in Ann Arbor. During those last years of his life Robert was reunited with old friends, classmates and made many new friends. He was a regular attendee at the annual All Alumni Reunion of Saline High School, most recently attending the 70th reunion of his graduating class of 1939. In October of 2008 he moved into the Brookdale Assisted Living Community, where he enjoyed sharing tales of the "days of old Ann Arbor" with other residents and the staff. Robert is survived by his sister, Virginia and his brother, Donald; as well as stepdaughters, Nancy Lyke and Barbara (Ron) Hock; numerous nieces and nephews, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one younger brother, Burl (Virginia) Bassett. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with the Reverend Paul Arnold officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery in Saline with graveside Military Honors to be held under the auspices of the Veterans Honor Guard of Washtenaw County. In lieu of flowers, donations to Arbor Hospice would be greatly appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home in Saline, Michigan, where friends may begin calling on Thursday, November 3, 2011, between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and on Friday, November 4, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 1:00 p.m.
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