Lloyd Parker Basil, 94, of Van Wert, died at 8 p.m. July 3, 2008, at Van Crest Health Center, Van Wert.

He was born July 22, 1913, in Paulding County, to Edward Ellis and Pearl Pauline Parker Basil. On Dec. 20, 1945, he married Grace Elizabeth Germann, who died Aug. 19, 1984.

Survivors are two sons, Bruce (Sharon), Van Buren, and Brent (Patricia), West Chester; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Deceased is a brother, Leslie.

He was a farmer, sold mutual funds and insurance, and was a past treasurer for Van Wert County. He was a 1931 graduate of Haviland High School and attended Defiance College. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and served as a drill sergeant. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Paulding, where he was president of the church council.

He also was past master of Rufus Putman Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons, Paulding, and member of Flatrock Lodge Free & Accepted Masons, Payne, Van Wert Chapter 71 and Council 73, Ivanhoe Commandery 54, and past district deputy grand master of the 4th Masonic district. He also was a Knight of the York Cross of Honor, Ohio Priory 18, received all seven honors of Masonry and was a 33rd Mason, Valley of Toledo. He had received the Purple Cross of York, Sovereign York Rite College.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home, Van Wert, the Rev. Mary Beth Smith-Webb officiating. Burial will take place at a later date at Blue Creek Cemetery, Paulding County.

Calling is 1-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with a Masonic service at 8 p.m.

Contributions can be made to the Knight Templar Eye Foundation, Ohio Masonic Home, Springfield, or the Van Wert County Foundation.