Florence E. Basehore, 97, of Lebanon, PA, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 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 Dec. 22, 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 her children, Gary Basehore, husband of Rita, of Lebanon, PA, and Lynette Doster, wife of Lynn, of Lebanon, PA; daughter-in-law, Carol Cortright, of Lebanon, PA; grandchildren, Dawn Eshenour, wife of Bryan, Michael Basehore, husband of Jamie, Shane Felty, husband of Nicole, Chad Felty, husband of Carolyn, and Stephen Doster, husband of Alyssa; 11 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Florence was preceded in death by her 11 siblings and her son, Lt. Harold E. Basehore Jr., who was killed in Vietnam.
Florence enjoyed serving alongside her husband in the ministry at various Methodist Churches. They began their ministry in a small church in Bobo, IN. Moving back to Pennsylvania, they accepted charges in Morgantown and Churchtown, where they spent nine years. In 1961, they moved to Cornwall Methodist Church, where they served for the next 30+ years. Upon retirement, they were asked to serve at St. John’s 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 that they shared it 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 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 Maxwell Hill, one room, “Little Red Schoolhouse.” The Amish community was without 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 throughout her life.
Of all her talents and life experiences, she would tell you her best life was her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a devoted Mother and Grammy.
A public visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Kreamer Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 618 E. Main St., Annville, PA 17003. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. 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 Lebanon Valley Home, 550 E. Main St., Annville, PA 17003, in her memory. Kreamer Funeral Home, Annville, is handling arrangements.
