Mr. George Laurence Bassler, 78,
of Four Points Road, Emmitsburg,
died Wednesday, Jan. 22, at his
home. He was the husband of Florence
C. Bassler. They were married for 52
years.
Born Nov. 10, 1924, in
Simpsonville, Howard County, he was
a son of the late George F. and
Esther E. Iager Bassler. He was a
member of Elias Evangelical Lutheran
Church, Emmitsburg.
Mr. Bassler was a lifelong
farmer, working with his father in
Howard County from 1950 to 1963.
While in Howard County he was a
volunteer firefighter for 20 years
with Clarksville Volunteer Fire Co.
He moved to Rocky Ridge in 1964 and
became founder and owner of Sand
Rock Farm. He was founder and owner
of B&H Equipment Co. He sold DeKalb
corn and ran a tire company selling
the SafeMark Brand. He also sold
Badger equipment and Hydro-Mac
skidloaders.
Mr. Bassler was a member of
numerous organizations and
associations during his years of
farming. He was a national member of
the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders
Association; and Maryland Brown
Swiss Cattle Breeders Association,
where he was president for six
years. He was a member of the MD/VA
Capital Milk Producers; MD/VA Milk
Producers Association; Maryland Farm
Bureau; a national member of the
Dairy Shrine; and honorary member of
the FFA and 4-H. Mr. Bassler also
was an assistant leader of both
Tom's Creek and Rocky Ridge
Progressive 4-H Clubs.
Mr. Bassler enjoyed showing his
Brown Swiss cattle and helping young
people get started in showing them.
He had been showing cattle for more
than 48 years. He also was an avid
hunter.
Surviving in addition to his wife
are five children, Jane Russom of
Lusby, Lee Bassler and wife Kate,
and Roy Bassler and wife Diane, all
of Emmitsburg, Allen Bassler and
wife Tammy of Upperville, Va., and
E. Marie Butler of Thurmont; 17
grandchildren; seven
great-grandchildren; one sister,
Lucy Gordon of Taneytown; and
numerous nieces and nephews.
He also will be remembered by
long-time friends, George Edgerton
and Robert Wiles. He was preceded in
death by a son, Alvin F. Bassler,
who died Dec. 8, 1981.
The family will receive friends
from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday,
Jan. 24, at Stauffer Funeral Home,
104 East Main St., Thurmont. Funeral
services will be held at 10 a.m.
Saturday, Jan. 25, at the funeral
home. The Rev. Ronald Fearer will
officiate. Interment will be
in Lakeview Memorial Gardens,
Sykesville.
