Orlo Robert Bassford

CAMBRIDGE -- Orlo Robert Bassford, 92, died Thursday (May 22, 2008) at the Cambridge Manor.

He was born on Aug. 27, 1915, in Furnas County near Wilsonville to Aubrey Roy and Etta Melissa (Blair) Bassford. He graduated from Wilsonville High School in 1933.

He worked for the Kansas-Nebraska Gas Company for 37 years. He started as a laborer, worked on the main line and worked with the inspection crews. He was transferred to office manager on Oct. 7, 1962. He retired in January 1981.

He was married to Marguerite Karash on Jan 21, 1940, she preceded him in death on July 7, 1974.

On Jan 16, 1976, he married Louise Trant, she preceded him in death on March 5, 1999.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the Cambridge Lion's Club for more than 50 years. He received the International Melvin Jones Fellow Award for outstanding service.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Marguerite and Louise; son, Robert; two brothers, Ellis and Howard; and four sisters, Velma, Florence, Wilda and Ila.

Survivors include his two daughters, Shirley and husband, Rolland Fichtner of Hastings and Mary and husband, Vernon Martin of Arapahoe; six grandchildren; and 14 great- grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. John's Cemetery.

The rosary is Monday, 7 p.m., at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge with Tim Fichtner.

Lockenour-Jones Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.