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In Loving Memory

Basler, Francis Stewart

Basler, Francis Stewart passed away peacefully on Monday, January 2, 2023, at the age of 93.

Francis was a devoted and loving husband to Mary Beth Basler (nee Schwent), whom he cherished in marriage for 61 years. He was a devoted and loving father and grandfather to his late son, Dennis Gerard Basler; daughter, Jane Elizabeth Basler; daughter by choice, Katherine, and grandson, Maxim Mandel. He was a caring uncle and great-uncle, and a treasured friend to many.

Francis was born almost a month after the Wall Street Crash of 1929 in Gary, Indiana. Shortly after his birth, the family returned to their hometown of Coffman, Missouri, in Ste. Genevieve County. Francis grew up in the idyllic rural town of Coffman, which had its own steam engine train station. The train, which ran from Cape Girardeau to Farmington, brought in professional boarders, who were traveling to Iron Mountain, aka St. Joe Lead Mine. Some of these boarders would stay at Francis’s home, since his mother was the best cook and award-winning piemaker in the area.

In Coffman, Francis attended a one-room schoolhouse with his brothers. The school was located up the hill from his two-story house, which featured a wrap-around porch and porch swing. Growing up, Francis served as an altar boy and built the fires in the stove for St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church. It is here where he thought he might want to become a priest, but instead he decided he would like to be an engineer, like the men who were boarders in his home. Francis graduated from Ste. Genevieve High School in 1947. He was the smartest boy and the No. 3 overall student in his class. He had to wait one year before attending the University of Missouri-Rolla, though, so he could save up enough money to attend. Francis studied civil engineering at Rolla, where he was a member of the Honor Society and Catholic fraternity Phi Kappa Theta. In 1952, he became the first member of his family to graduate from a university.

After college, Francis moved to St. Louis and married Mary Beth on May 2, 1953, at the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica. They shared 61 wonderful years together, raising two beautiful children, growing his career, and spending time together in the country.

Some of Francis’s career highlights included being the head engineer in building a section of the new Highway 55, estimating the footings for the St. Louis Gateway Arch, serving as project manager for the construction of the beautiful Kirkwood Methodist Church, and then starting his own general construction business in 1963. Some of A-M Construction Company, Inc.’s biggest clients included the Saint Louis Public Schools and Washington University (both the Medical and Danforth campuses).

In addition to his beloved wife and son, Francis was preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude A. Basler (nee Harter) and Leo W. Basler; and brothers Lindell and William “Red” Basler. Francis cherished and loved his brothers and the happy times they spent fishing and building together.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Louis Arc, 1177 N. Warson Rd., St. Louis, MO 63132. Services: Visitation will be held Saturday, January 14, 2023, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at St. Vincent DePaul Parish Catholic Church, 1408 South 10th Street, St. Louis, MO 63104. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin directly after at 11:30 a.m. A private burial will be held at New Cavalry Catholic Cemetery in Farmington, Missouri.

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16 thoughts on “Basler, Francis Stewart”

  1. Rest in Peace, dear Francis, with your beloved Mary Beth and son, Dennis.
    It’s true, Francis was a very intelligent and accomplished man, but for me, it
    was his gentleness, friendliness, and constant smile that was the light I
    loved to see! And it continues on with his beautiful, joyful daughter, Jane!

    Reply

  2. Rest in Peace, dear Francis, with your beloved Mary Beth and son, Dennis.
    It’s true, Francis was a very intelligent and accomplished man, but for me, it
    was his gentleness, friendliness, and constant smile that was the light I
    loved to see! And it continues on with his beautiful, joyful daughter, Jane!

    Reply

  5. Francis will be missed by all, but he now is watching over us all. I don’t ever remember seeing him without a smile. And as a kid I loved hearing his work stories. Dear Francis, pray for us all.

    Reply

  6. Francis will be missed by all, but he now is watching over us all. I don’t ever remember seeing him without a smile. And as a kid I loved hearing his work stories. Dear Francis, pray for us all.

    Reply

  7. My deepest sympathy to Jane and her family. How blessed you are to have had him so long, yet it is never ever long enough. Keeping you all in my prayers.

    Reply

  8. My deepest sympathy to Jane and her family. How blessed you are to have had him so long, yet it is never ever long enough. Keeping you all in my prayers.

    Reply

  9. I remember Uncle Francis for his smile. He was always there for me when I was going to X-ray school in St. Louis. I have special memories of the whole family (Aunt Bee, Dennis, and Jane) when we spent six weeks in Missouri. My Dad was on strike in Arizona. We also visited both side of the family–St. Louis, Ste Genevieve, and River aux Vases.

    Reply

  10. I remember Uncle Francis for his smile. He was always there for me when I was going to X-ray school in St. Louis. I have special memories of the whole family (Aunt Bee, Dennis, and Jane) when we spent six weeks in Missouri. My Dad was on strike in Arizona. We also visited both side of the family–St. Louis, Ste Genevieve, and River aux Vases.

    Reply

  11. Jane – Always enjoyed working with your dad, and best of all, that’s how I met you. My condolences on your loss, he was one special man.

    Reply

  12. Jane – Always enjoyed working with your dad, and best of all, that’s how I met you. My condolences on your loss, he was one special man.

    Reply

  13. I remember running into him at garners and he always called me Kathy and asked how Mary was. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was Mary. He was a sweet man.

    Reply

  14. I remember running into him at garners and he always called me Kathy and asked how Mary was. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I was Mary. He was a sweet man.

    Reply

  15. Rest in peace dear Francis. Your kindness and example on how to live a good life will not be forgotten. Joey and Mary Ann Schulte

    Reply

  16. Rest in peace dear Francis. Your kindness and example on how to live a good life will not be forgotten. Joey and Mary Ann Schulte

    Reply

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