John R. Basch

John Robert Basch 85, Indianapolis, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2007. He was born September 12, 1921 in Indianapolis to William P. and Gertrude R. (Thompson) Basch. Mr. Basch graduated from Cathedral High School in 1939 and Butler University in 1949. He served as a First Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during WWII and was the lead navigator on the B-24 heavy bomber. As a member of the 489 Bomber Group, he completed 28 combat missions in the European Theater of Operations with the 8th Air Force and had over 200 combat hours while also completing training as navigator for the B-29 aircraft. He received the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, EAME Theater Ribbon with four Stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Mr. Basch was a charter member of St. Barnabas Catholic Church, charter member of the Eli Lilly American Legion Post 374 and a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3660. He had worked for Eli Lilly for 37 years most recently as personnel director before his retirement. John also volunteered as a consultant for SCORE, served on the board of directors of the Baxter YMCA where he was awarded Man of the Year during his tenure, served as a board member for the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce and was an advisor for Junior Achievement. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Jayne (Henry) Basch; children, Susan (Jim) Pennington, John Basch, Shirley (Joe) Linne, Barbara Basch, Jerry (Mary Beth) Basch, Bill (Cindy) Basch, Mark (Tammy) Basch; grandchildren, Melissa, David, Nicholas, Kathleen, Michael, Molly, Haylie, Madison, Shelby, Tyler, Cody and Connor; great grandchildren, Collin, Olivia and Christian. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 11 a.m. at St. Barnabas Church. Friends may call on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Daniel F. O'Riley Funeral Home where morning prayers will be said on Wednesday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. prior to Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Basch's family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the VA Hospital, 1481 W. 10th St. Indpls, IN 46202 ATTN: Voluntary Services.