Stillwater Valley News
July 1930

Lee O. Bashore

On last Saturday, July 4th, 1931, came the unexpected announcement of the death of this our beloved friend and citizen, Mr. L. O. Bashore, and the sudden summons of this splendid man causes us to reflect on the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, for he was in his usual health, but the summons suddenly came and his passing has cast sorrow and gloom over the entire community. Mr. Lee Bashore, son of Benjamin and Susan Bashore, was born on a farm in Newton Township November 29th, 1856. He was one of a family of six children, three girls and three boys, only one of the family survives, Mr. Simon Bashore of Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Bashore was born and reared in the neighborhood where the fields were covered with grass and grain, where the rills and creeks glided between wooded hills making vast stretches of forests, where grew the maple, the elm and the sturdy oak. In this environment he grew to manhood and this accounts, in part, for his aspects. So much did his love the soil with its seed-time and harvest that he made farming his occupation. He received his education in the rural district school, one of the little red school houses known as Fairview, and what fond memories he held for this old school. On February 28th, 1877 he was united in marriage with Carolyn Maier and on a farm near his boyhood home they established their home. To them were given three children, a son Forrest who died when just one year of age, and two daughters Emma and Louise. What hallowed memories center about this home which he loved and over which he scattered his radiant cheer as a kind and loving companion and father, for home to him was and always has been, "A world of care shut out and a world of love shut in." In this country home the daughters grew to womanhood and here they were married. In 1903 Mr. and Mrs. Bashore left their nature state, going to Canada where they spent six years in the broad open spaces of this country and here again he turned his attention to farming. Returning to Ohio in 1090 they established their home in Pleasant Hill, but in February of 1912 this wife and mother was called to the great beyond. Mr. Bashore spent his boyhood days in the fellowship of the Brethren Church of which his parents were members, but many years ago he united with the Pleasant Hill Christian Church in which he was and active worker, serving the last four years as one of the trustees. On March 16th, 1914 he was again united in marriage with Lillie Martindale Freshour and that characteristic devotion to home and family, so dominant in his life made a home of happiness and sweet fellowship for this companion, these two daughters and Mrs. Martindale, the mother of Mrs. Bashore, who shared with them through all the years this home. One of the fine qualities for which he will always be remembered was his watchful care and concern for her who he so tenderly call, "My Little Mother." A great source of joy to him were the two grandsons, George Lee and Robert Hoffman. On these also he bestowed the fullness of his love.

And now that he has gone from the home he loved here, we are assured that life does not end and that the Great Father who supplies our every need has given to him the place of his heart's desire in the Heavenly Home, and were he to speak to us today he would say"

"I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear;
The Son of God discloses."

And He Walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody, that He gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing.

And He Walks with me, and He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

Mr. Bashore leave to mourn his loss in his immediate family, his wife, Lillie, two daughters, Mrs. W. D. Minnich of Pleasant Hill and Mrs. R. D. Hoffman, of Dayton, and two grandsons, George Lee and Robert Hoffman. Funeral services were held at the Pleasant Hill Christian Church on Tuesday afternoon, July 7th, 1931 at 3:00 o'clock. Rev. C. F. McKee of Dayton officiating.  Burial in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

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