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- Betzler Life Story
Earl Bass (Picture included)
July 28, 1920 ? January 4, 2004
Paw Paw, MI
Compassionate, loving, dedicated, hard working ? these are just a few of many words that describe Earl Harris Bass. He spent his life balancing hard work with being a loving father and husband, succeeding in providing the best for his family. With a love for music in his soul and a love for family in his heart, Earl approached each day as an opportunity to bring happiness to those around him.
The 1920's were one of the pinnacle eras of American Culture. The Great War was over, and the rise of film, radio, the beginnings of television and the ready acceptance of telephone and electricity set the stage for many great things to come. Earl Harris Bass was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 28, 1920, to Garret and Jennette (Gauseveld) Bass. Life was full of hardships for Earl from the very start. His father died before he was born and his mother worked hard to raise him alone. Despite these adversities, Earl was able to enjoy childhood activities growing up on 113th and State Streets. He learned early that he would have to work hard in order to reach his goals in life. In the winter months, Earl shoveled sidewalks to earn money for ice-skating at Calumet Park. He would rent skates at the park, reluctantly leaving his shoes for fear that someone would steal them. He always made sure to set aside a dime so after skating he could treat himself to two hamburgers and a chocolate milkshake. Earl attended school full time and graduated from Christian Fenger High School in 1940. Upon graduation, Earl followed the same patriotic calling of many young men at the time and entered into the U.S. Coast Guard on September 8, 1942. He proudly served his country until his discharge on November 28, 1945. Throughout his life, whenever the National Anthem was played, he proudly stood at attention with a tear in his eye.
Earl?s life would take a different direction when he met Margaret Van Eck. It was true love from the very beginning and it only took a few months of courting before they were married on a spring day, March 2, 1946. The young couple set out to start their life together by moving to Paw Paw, Michigan, to help work her family?s fruit farm. It was here that Earl and Margaret raised their three wonderful children, Roger, Earl and Merle. Earl dug in with both heels to provide for his new family by working the 11- 7 shift at Eaton?s in Lawton as well as toiling daily on the farm. They continued to develop the Van Eck farm until 1997 when they sold the property to the Paw Paw High School District. The current high school proudly stands on that property today.
Earl was an old-fashioned kind of gentleman. He held the door for the ladies, shook your hand to say hello or thank you and never raised his voice unless it was in song. Throughout his life, Earl consistently showed his concern for others through his deeds and actions, which were an inspiration to those that knew and loved him. He adamantly told people that he was ?fit as a fiddle? never complaining about anything and always showed his appreciation to a visitor for taking the time to stop by. On one occasion while grocery shopping, Earl fell in the parking lot and broke his leg. Not wanting to trouble anyone, he somehow got the groceries in the truck, drove home, called his boys to come get the groceries because he was on his way to the hospital with a broken leg. His actions spoke volumes for his character. Earl made a point of stopping daily to see his friends, Gene & Katy Mitchell, and many of his friends said they never saw Earl without his dogs. In fact, he took out the interior courtesy lights on his truck so that when he made his daily stops the dogs could get in and out of the truck whenever they wanted.
When Margaret?s health started to become frail, they moved to Friendship Village where she could receive better care. Earl remained firmly by Margaret?s side tenderly caring for her until her passing on November 22, 1999. Earl never really felt at ease at Friendship Village, so after losing his precious Margaret, he moved to White Oaks in Lawton. Here he was truly happy and enjoyed taking leisurely walks uptown frequently stopping at DeCoy Ducks along the way. Earl wouldn?t pass up a chance to have his favorite dish - shrimp. Even in his poor health, he was able to enjoy them perhaps chasing it down with a delicious chocolate milkshake. Earl often took time to go hunting with his son and cheering on at his grandsons football, baseball and basketball games. Afterwards, he would roam the gymnasium wondering to himself where his farmhouse would have stood in relation to the school grounds.
Besides being a dedicated husband and loving father, Earl was also a devote Christian. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw, a choir member as well as a Deacon in the congregation. He had a wonderful singing voice that would put a song in your heart and a spring in your step. Everyone enjoyed listening to him sing. Not just by the church, but also by those at Rose Arbor where he resided. He would warm the hearts and souls of those around him with his beautiful songs. Often times when he was younger and working in the orchards on the Van Eck farm, his melodies would ring out through the trees. Earl was also a member of the Farm Bureau, Antwerp Twp. Planning Commission and Michigan Fruit Farmers.
Earl Harris Bass died on Sunday, January 4, 2004, at Rose Arbor Hospice, Kalamazoo, Michigan. His wife, Margaret Bass, precedes him in death. Earl is survived by his two sons, Roger and Jane Bass of Paw Paw, MI, and Earl and Mary Ann Bass of Daggett, MI; a daughter, Merle and Roger Heinecke of Swanton, OH; grandchildren, Justin and Matthew Bass, Reece and Randy Heinecke, Regan and Kidane Heinecke-Frezgi; Step grandchildren Ken, Laurie, Rich and Wally Dietztwo step-great grandchildren, Bo and Garrett Dietz.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, January 7, from 6-8 p.m. at the Betzler & Thompson Life Story Funeral Homes, M-40 South of 1-94, Paw Paw, Michigan, where a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8, with Rev. Tom Abbott of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw officiating. Interment in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Paw Paw. Please visit Earl?s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, share a memory, order flowers online or make a memorial contribution to either Rose Arbor Hospice or First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw.
Earl Bass was honorable, patriotic, respectable and a family man. He will be remembered for his love of others, especially his wife, children and grandchildren, and will live on forever in their hearts and the hearts of all who knew him.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1920 - 2004 (83 years)