Lesta Jean Basel

Lesta Jean Basel, 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at her home in Prospect, Ohio surrounded by her family.

Lesta was born on September 6, 1946 in Marion, Ohio to the late Charles and Lucille (Glassmeyer) Eblin.  On August 1, 1964, she married the late Duane Phillip Basel.  They were happily married for 51 years and raised three daughters. 

She was a member of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waldo, Ohio. She enjoyed spending time with her family, attending school and sporting events for her grandchildren, and watching her children and grandchildren show at the county and state fair. One of her biggest passions was gardening and tending to her flower beds along with raising sheep and showing with her family as the girls grew up. She graduated from Ridgedale class of 1964 was homecoming queen and many leading roles in the Ridgedale HS musicals.

Lesta is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Duane Phillip Basel and her daughters: Kim Yirga and Kara Russell.

Those who will cherish her memories include her daughter, Kristin (Doug) Guthrie of Marion, Ohio; her son-in-laws: Mike Russell of Prospect, Ohio and John Yirga of Gates Mill, Ohio and; her brothers: Larry (Nancy) Eblin of Caledonia and Dana Eblin of Tiffin, Ohio, her sister Sharon (Bill) Houston of Marion; her grandchildren Kelly, Austin and Luke Guthrie, Jillian and Maxwell Russell, and Jack Yirga; along with several nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Friends and family may come to honor Lesta’s life from 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at the Boyd Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023 starting at 10am at the funeral home with Pastor Jennifer Gonsalves officiating. A burial will follow the funeral service at Grand Prairie Cemetery. 

The family would like to extend a thank you to Capital City Hospice for their dedication, care, and support shown to Lesta and her family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Lesta’s memory to: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waldo (135 W. Main St., Waldo, Ohio 43356). The Boyd Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Basel family.

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