Donald Basinger Obituary

Donald K. "Curly" Basinger

Donald Keith "Curly" Basinger, 91, peacefully went home to Jesus on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Mennonite Memorial Home.

He was born Dec. 9, 1932, in a log cabin in Pandora, to Gerald and Lela (Oberly) Basinger.

Don is survived by his wife of 72 years, Ruby Mae (Geiger) Basinger. They have three children, Cindy (Tim) Luginbill, Deb Howell, and Todd (Kim) Basinger, all living in the Pandora area.

Don had five siblings, all sisters, which he often jokingly mentioned as a reason to "feel sorry" for him, Jo Ann (Arthur*) Hilty, Betty* (Forest*) Kantner, Colleen* (James*) Wolfe, Connie (Robert) Sutherland, and Judy (Mark) Stall, and many nieces and nephews.

Don and Ruby have 10 grandchildren, Keri (Tony) Hixon, Megan (Kyle) Reichenbach, Deric (Brianne) Luginbill, Tara (Dana) Cherry, Summer (Christopher) Thomas, Lacy (Josh) Moore, Noah (T.J.) Howell-Winkelman, Michael Howell, Jackson Howell, and Anna (Matt) McKinley.

They also have 32 great-grandchildren who knew him as "GG Don," Eliana, Kya, and Everett Hixon, Graham, Lucy, Ruby, and Simon Reichenbach, Ariana and Sawyer Bowling, Selah, Hope, Roman, and Gracey Luginbill, Beatrice and Veida Howell, Layla, Jovi, Crosby, and Bodie Thomas, Josh (Baylee) Moore, Dalton, Landen, and Denver Moore, Tavian Tousley, Nadika, Isla, Kyrie, Rylen, and Zayden Howell, and Violet and Myra McKinley; and two great-great-grandchildren, Esther and Callum Moore.

Don loved his family very much and was always interested in what was going on in their lives. He had a quick sense of humor and could always be counted on for a laugh with his repertoire of jokes. Don and Ruby were May Day king and queen at Pandora High School in 1950. After they married in 1952, Don hauled milk for Geiger Bros. Trucking until he purchased Meadowbrook Lanes in Pandora. He and Ruby worked together there for 12 years, making many life-long friends. Don was a great bowler and was instrumental in starting Putnam County Bowling Hall of Fame. Don enjoyed sports and was a life-long Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians (Guardians) fan. When they sold the bowling lanes, Don pursued a career in real estate, working with Richard Boehr Co. He then established a branch office in Pandora. Real estate and auctioneering seemed to go hand in hand, so he went to auctioneer's school in Indiana and became an auctioneer, first, with Evan Burkholder, and then on his own. He was later joined by his son, Todd. Don sold many homes, businesses, and land in the surrounding area. He later joined Bucher Realty and sold for Century 21, eventually opening American Tradition Realty Company in Findlay. As a realtor, he traveled to Japan with other business leaders through the Sister Cities Association, working to bring industry to the area.

In the midst of all these years, Don owned, trained, and drove several harness race horses. His first, favorite, and best horse was "Action." Don learned much about horse racing over the years from his late friend Mark Grismore. Don and Ruby began spending winters in Pompano Beach, Florida and did some harness racing there. Once they officially retired, they spent winters in Harlingen, Texas, making good friends wherever they went. Don perfected his shuffleboard skills there and enjoyed playing on the Bluffton court and others in the area up until several years ago.

Don's celebration of life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Grace Mennonite Church, Pandora, the church Don attended all his life.

Memorial contributions can be made to Grace Mennonite Church in Pandora or Mennonite Memorial Home Benevolent fund.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services of Bluffton.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.