11/10/2012
Marvin Dale Bassett, 86, of Knoxville, passed away Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Westridge
Nursing & Rehab Center in Knoxville. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday,
November 14 at 10 a.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Knoxville with Rev. Neil Montz
officiating. Burial, with military honors provided by the United States Navy and
the Dallcher Legion Post #632, will follow in Breckenridge Cemetery in rural Knoxville.
A visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday, November 13 with family present from
5 to 8 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home in Knoxville. For those desiring, memorial
contributions may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa, Paralyzed Veterans of America
or to the Knoxville Music Boosters. Condolence messages may be sent to the family
at www.williamsfhknoxville.com.
Music for the service was provided by Terri Davis, Donna Kingrey, Linda DeLong,
Donna Kilgore, Glenn Klyn and Charles Sigafoose. Pallbearers were Robert Bassett,
James Bassett, John Bassett, Steven Rankin, Daniel Rankin and Brian Kingrey. Honorary
pallbearers were Tom Cox, Jon Garrison, Ted Johnson, Bill Roff, Jack Robuck, Darrell
Thomas, George Dailey, Raymond Wadle, Frank Powers and Jim Wright.
Marvin was born on December 23, 1925 in rural Marion County, Iowa. He was the second
oldest of seven children born to George and Mary Elreta (Loynachan) Bassett. He
graduated from Knoxville High School in 1943.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was stationed on the Island of
Saipan. For his service, Marvin was recently presented with the World War II medal,
the American Campaign medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign medal and the Occupation
Service medal.
Marvin was united in marriage to Wilma Pearson on July 29, 1950 in Knoxville and
to this union, two daughters were born, Terri and Donna. The couple lived their
entire married life in Knoxville. Marvin worked for his dad at Bassett’s Feed &
Seed store as a teenager and after returning from the Navy. He also followed his
dad’s footsteps as a Pfister Hybrid seed corn dealer and received a plaque for twenty-five
years of sales and service.
He was employed at Phillips 66 gasoline station for one year and then was manager
of the Standard Oil Station for ten years before becoming and owner/operator of
his own business, Bassett’s Automotive Service, for twenty-three years. He also
ran a wrecker service for thirty-three years, retiring in 1993.
Marvin was a free-hand sign painter for forty-plus years as well as a self-taught
musician who played instruments by ear. He formed the country music band “The Stringbusters”,
and organized the Country and Old-Time Music Festival held yearly at the Marion
County Park, which he and his family promoted for twenty-five years.
After retiring, Marvin enjoyed camping and playing music at festivals, hand carving
fiddles, mandolins and guitars and painting signs. Most of his signs could be seen
around the Knoxville Raceway. Marvin was a member of the Red Rock Coon Hunters Association,
the American Legion, V.F.W. and a charter member of the Knoxville Kiwanis.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 45 years, Wilma; and two
brothers, John and Harold.
Those left to honor his memory inc