Irene Rita Bassler

Reverend Irene R. Bassler

Irene was an amazing women, loving wife, mother and grandmother. She traveled the world and every state in the union including Alaska and Hawaii. After graduating from Morrison R. Waite High School in 1950 she followed her husband to New Bern, NC where he was stationed in the U.S. Marine Corp. After
being injured in the Korean conflict Harold was sent to the Naval Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Irene followed and met Dorsie Volgelsang, they remained friends for over 70 years. They later moved back to Toledo to start a family. While raising her two sons Irene held a few small factory jobs and worked as a
nurse’s aid. While working at Americare Nursing home she met her friend Nancy Rickman and formed a friendship that lasted almost 50 years. 

Irene enjoyed yearly vacations and weekend camping at East Harbor State Park. She enjoyed many activities including white water rafting, back packing in Canada, multistate motorcycle trips, hiking to the summit of Mt. Katahdin in Maine, or taking 2 and 3 day canoe trips with the congregation of her church. For over 40 years she was the lead pastor of The Church of Living Epistles, which she founded with her husband Harold and son Lenn Sr. She welcomed anyone and
everyone to come in and enjoy the Spirit. The church sponsored a school in Mission S.D. for Native American children.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband Harold, parents Joseph and Helen, brothers Joseph and Frank, sisters Virginia, Filamena, Ruth and Margaret, and son Lenn Sr. She is survived by her son Jeff (Tina), daughter in law Margaret, sister Maryiln (Bob) Shinaberry, grandchildren Lenn Jr. (Sara ), Nathan
(Kristin), Christina (Blake) and great grandchildren Andrew, Jacob, Benjamin, Cooper and Cameron and long time friends John and Nancy Ory.

Irene’s wishes were to not have a showing or flowers or anyone snotting over her so there will be a celebration of life on Thursday May 25 th starting at 2 pm- 9 pm at Shoreland Park Shelter House 5470 Patriot Dr., Toledo, OH 43611. There will be a prayer at 5 pm and time for anyone who would like to speak.
There will be a private burial at a later date.

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