John Bassich

John G. Bassich, the son of George and Barbara (Sebetich) Bassich, was born April 11, 1935 at Ellsworth, Somerset Township, Pennsylvania. John grew to adulthood in Ellsworth where he was confirmed into the Roman Catholic faith and graduated from high school. Following high school, John enlisted in the United States Army and served in Korea during the conflict. While in Korea, John was awarded the Bronze Star, Silver Star, Combat Infantry Badge, and in 1952, he received a commendation for "Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty". It was on assignment in England when he met and married his first wife, Jean Iris Cook. Upon his discharge, John returned to Pennsylvania where he worked for Bethlehem Steel Corporation and joined the Croatian Fraternal Union. John and Jean were blessed with two daughters, Lynda and Barbara. In 1988, John moved to Plattsmouth, NE and on July 17, 1989, John and Karen Leitner were married at Plattsmouth. They made their home in Malvern on October 23, 1991, and were blessed with six children, Rebecca Ursula, Rachel Barbara, Jean Pierre, Hans Dietrich, Georg Heinrich, and Rosalie Lynn. John enjoyed gardening, writing poetry, and short stories i...[more]

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poetry format. John died at the Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA on June 1, 2004 at the age of 69 years, 1 month, and 20 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Jean, and brother George Bassich. John is survived by his daughters Lynda Bergeron and husband Ron of Council Bluffs and Barbara Mestepy and husband Jim of Arvada, Colorado; his wife Karen Bassich of Malvern and their children Rebecca, Rachel, Pierre, Hans, Henry, and Rosalie; six grandchildren; and four great grandchildren; sister Elizabeth Bassich and brother Thomas Bassich. Graveside funeral services were held Wednesday, June 2, 2004 at the Malvern Cemetery with Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.