Roy "Sonny" Basler Jr.

Roy "Sonny" Basler Jr., age 82 of Cobden, died Monday, February 18, 2019 at his home. He was born January 9, 1937 in Cobden, the son of Roy Sr. and Frieda (Lindsey) Basler. He married the love of his life, Shirley Ruth (Campbell) in December of 1962 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cobden. She preceded him in death on November 14, 2018. Together they shared almost 56 years of marriage. Sonny is survived by his daughter, Pam (Jim) Barr of Cobden; son, Todd (Susan) Basler of Anna; four grandchildren, Adam and Ryan Barr, Clayton and Kaylee Basler; sister, Anita (Cliff) Howell of Sparta; nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley Basler; and brother, Donnie Basler. Sonny was a devoted member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cobden. He was a graduate of Cobden High School class of 1955 and later graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. In 1959 Sonny went to honorably serve his country in the United States Army for two years during the Korean War. He worked his career as an investigator for the Illinois Department of Agriculture until his retirement. Sonny was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a life member of the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the V.F.W. in Anna. He was an avid gardener and St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Fan. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 22, 2019 in the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Cobden with Father Uriel Salamanca officiating. Interment will be in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the V.F.W. in Anna and the Illinois National Guard Military Honor Team of Marion. Friends may call from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 21, 2019 in the Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Cobden. Prayer service will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church. Visitation Service Thursday, February 21, 2019,5:00PM-7:00PM Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home 214 North Front Street Cobden, Illinois 62920 Prayer Service at 7:30 at the Funeral Home Memorial/Funeral Service Friday, February 22, 2019,10:00AM St. Joseph's Catholic Church 101 North Centennial Street Cobden, Illinois 62920 Cemetery Service Friday, February 22, 2019,11:00AM St. Joseph Cemetery Ash Street Cobden, Illinois 62920