Dennis J. Basista

Born the son of Martin and Elizabeth (Farkas) Basista. Dennis grew up in Campbell and loved automobiles. At 18 years old he joined the United States Marines and served in the Vietnam War as a Lance Corporal. When he returned home after 18 months of combat he went to work for General Motors Corporation, Lordstown, where he was in the maintenance department. He was a proud UAW retiree, Local 1112.

In the ’70s Dennis was into local car racing. He would drag race his 1970 Blue Roadrunner at Meander, Quaker, Dragway 42 and Sunset raceways. He won many trophies and awards.

Dennis married Helen (Shaffer) and became a loving father to her five children. He put God, Country and Family before himself and took the best loving care of his family. Helen and Denny had two houses built and enjoyed working around their home. They were unafraid to take on challenging work when their houses were built, including clearing land and taking down trees, in addition to many finer details in home design.

Dennis will be sadly missed by his loving family, Helen and Judd Gaylord (daughter and son-in-law), Bryan and Andrea Shaffer (son and daughter-in-law), Katherine and James Andrews (daughter and son-in-law), 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Dennis was preceded in death by his dear wife of 45 years, Helen Basista; his brothers, Lawrence and David Basista; and a sister, Miss Mary Basista; a dear son in Vernon, Dale Shaffer; dear daughter, Patricia Ann Niemi; and son-in-law, Robbie Niemi.

Services will be held at Higgins Funeral Home, North Jackson, June 1, 2024.

Family 9 a.m., friends 10 a.m., service 11 a.m.

Dennis will be laid to rest in Lordstown Cemetery next to his wife.

The family requests donations to the Ellsworth VFW, 11397 Ellsworth Road, North Jackson, OH 44451, in lieu of flowers.