Lester G. Basham

Former Cave Junction resident Lester George Basham, 98, a 50-year member of Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge
18/AF&AM, died Saturday, April 19, 2008 at a care center in Grants Pass.

A private family service was held.

Mr. Basham was born on Oct. 13, 1909, in Fulton, S.D. to George Edward & Celia (Rongstad) Basham. He was valedictorian of his high school class, and attended Rapid City School of Mines in South Dakota from 1928 to 1934.

He earned a bachelor of science degree in metallurgy. He married Clara C. Schoenfelder in Woonsocket, S.D. She died in 1983.

Mr. Basham served in the South Dakota National Guard from 1928 to ’32; and for the state’s planning board, and Gold Inc. Mine in Deadwood as an assayer and plant boss from 1936 to ’41.

He worked for the Lockheed Aircraft-Vega factory in Burbank, Calif. from 1941 to ’45, and then moved to Cave Junction. He worked in Illinois Valley for the U.S. Forest Service, and the former Josephine County School District at I.V. High School, and in the radio and television business. He retired in 1975.

He married Mildred S. Dowdell in 1985. She died in 1997. Mr. Basham was a 50-year member of Kerby Belt Masonic Lodge/AF&AM, having served as Past Master, and he was a recipient of the Hiram Award, the highest honor given a Master Mason for outstanding service.

He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol since 1989, reaching the rank of major.

Mr. Basham is survived by a son, Christopher Basham, of Florence, Mont.; a daughter, Kathleen Willaman, of Grants Pass; a brother, Marvin Basham, of Rapid City; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Grants Pass Funeral Alternatives was in charge of arrangements.

Pauline A. Fisher

No service is planned for Selma resident Pauline Anna Fisher, 76, who died at home Thursday, April 24, 2008.

Mrs. Fisher was born on Dec. 11, 1931 in Scottsdale, Ariz. to Obie & Anna Crockett. She married Ray Fisher in San Bernardino, Calif. on Oct. 8, 1962. She lived in Nevada until moving to Illinois Valley 16 years ago. She enjoyed word puzzles and raising kittens.

Besides her husband, Ray Fisher, she is survived by a brother.

Arrangements were by Illinois Valley Funeral Directors.