Florence E. Basehore

Florence E. Basehore, 97, of Lebanon, PA passed away on Sunday, April 26th, 2026, at the Lebanon Valley Home in Annville. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Rev. Harold E. Basehore. Born in Hershey, PA on December 22nd, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Frederick and Frances (Smith) Deimler. Florence was a member of Jonestown Bible Church, where she participated in the Quilting Group. Surviving are two children, Gary Basehore, husband of Rita of Lebanon, Lynette Doster, wife of Lynn of Lebanon, a daughter-in-law, Carol Cortright of Lebanon, five grandchildren, Dawn Eshenour, wife of Bryan, Michael Basehore, husband of Jamie, Shane Felty, husband of Nicole, Chad Felty, husband of Carolyn, Stephen Doster, husband of Alyssa, eleven great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, Florence was preceded in death by her eleven siblings, and her son, Lt. Harold E. Basehore, Jr. who was killed in Vietnam. Florence enjoyed serving along-side her husband in the ministry at various Methodist Churches. They began their ministry in a small church in Bobo, Indiana. Moving back to Pennsylvania they accepted charges in Morgantown and Churchtown where they spent 9 years. In 1961 they moved to Cornwall Methodist Church where they served for the next 30 plus years. Upon retirement they were asked to serve at St. Johns UMC in Lebanon where they finished their ministry. During this time Florence wore many different hats serving the church. Choir director, pianist, organist, Nursery mother, Bible School Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, and director of the many children’s plays and programs. She was also the “landscaper’ for the church grounds and parsonage attending to the flowerbeds. “Flossie” was an avid gardener. They raised any and all fruits and vegetables on land belonging to one of their dear friends and parishioners’. She did canning and freezing of the crops. The garden was so large they shared with church members and neighbors. Her canned goods were always used to decorate the church for the Harvest Home Service. She had started a handwritten journal on gardening, canning and freezing for her daughter. Many people in the church also wanted a copy. Eventually it was typed and printed. As more and more friends requested the book, her nephew, who worked at a local printer, ended up publishing it for her in three additional publications. She had many talents. Her musical abilities included playing the organ, piano, accordion and the steel guitar. Some of her nephews also played instruments and they enjoyed impromptu “jam sessions”. She also did tatting and knitting. She learned chair weaving, caning and rushing. She taught classes on all of these at the Hershey Museum and Boscov’s spring classes. She was asked to demonstrate these crafts at various community fairs and exhibits. She participated in quilting at the Jonestown Bible Church where she was a member. She made sure all of her children and grandchildren received a homemade quilt from her, hand sewn with love. One of her fondest memories was teaching school at the Maxwell Hill, one room, “Little Red Schoolhouse”. The Amish Community was with out a teacher and they visited her and asked if she would become their teacher until they found a replacement. She did this for a year. Many of her former students kept in touch with her through her life. Of all her talents and life experiences, she would tell you her best life was her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a devoted Mother and Grammy. A public visitation will be held from 10:00AM-11:00AM on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, at Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 618 E. Main St. Annville, PA 17003. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00AM on Tuesday at the Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VisionCorps, 244 N. Queen St. Suite 301 Lancaster, PA 17603, or to the Lebanon Valley Home, 550 E. Main St. Annville, PA 17003, in her memory. Kreamer Funeral Home, Annville is handling arrangements.

Florence E. Basehore

December 22, 1928 - April 26, 2026