Jonnie R. Basham

Jonnie Ray Basham, a U.S. Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War died Monday, April 5th in Indianapolis, his lifetime residency, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be Friday, April 9, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel, 9606 E. Washington St., with a military funeral on Saturday at 12 noon. Interment will follow at Washington Park East Cemetery. Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Christy Wishart Basham; Jennie Mucha Basham, his first wife and mother of his three girls. He is also survived by his twin brother, Ronnie Jay Basham (Frances Short), who served side-by-side with Jonnie during two tours in Vietnam, and his brother Paul Edward Basham (Judith Pruitt), of Greenwood, Indiana; and Nokomis, Florida. He was a deeply devoted father with many interests, including the Colts Football team, and his Marine buddies. Nothing was more important to Jonnie than his three daughters and their families; Nicole Marie Guhl (Todd), Indianapolis, Natalie Anne Montgomery (Billy), Vincennes, and Nanette Christine McCahill (Charles), Indianapolis. His five grandchildren are Kaycee Raye Montgomery, Nickolas Everett Guhl, Anna Marie McCahill, Matthew Ephram Guhl, and Nathan Charles Cuppy McCahill. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Thomas Basham and Pauline Allison Basham Perry, and step-father, Henry C. Perry. Jonnie graduated from School #21, and Howe High School. He and Ronnie owned the Basham Brothers Masonry Contractor, and later became employed by Kelle Construction Company. His close family includes two nephews, and two nieces, and their families, Bradley Elliott Basham, Robert Montgomery Basham, Dawn Raquel Basham-Thomas, Taylor Raquel Thomas, Tanya Rae Thomas, Douglas Edward Basham (Danielle Cleckner), Ashley Elizabeth Basham, Austin Douglas Basham, Dana Allison Basham-Hutsko (David), Alexandra Grace Hutsko, Andrew Jonathon Hutsko, Aiden Xavier Hutsko, and Alison Anell Hutsko. Jonnie was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene, VFW Post #2999, the American Legion, and the Marine Corp League. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

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Jonnie R. Basham

February 21, 1945 - April 5, 2010