Mary Jeanne Murphy Bassler, 80, of Washington, Indiana passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026 at The Villages at Oak Ridge in Washington, Indiana with family at her side. She was born on January 4th, 1946 to Fred and Loretta Murphy in Montgomery, Indiana. She attended St Peter’s Grade School and was a 1963 graduate of Montgomery High School. She was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church all the years she lived in Montgomery.
For 19 years she worked at Washington Nursing Center in different capacities. She was involved with “Dinner Theatre” Choirs, Veal Creek Players. She loved music and often sang at Weddings and Funerals. She entertained at area nursing homes and various functions as well.
In 2000 she moved to Washington, IN. She joined Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church where she did various activities, her favorite was taking Holy Communion to Nursing Home Residents. She worked several years in the YMCA Daycare. She always said there was little difference in the little ones and the older ones. They each require lots of love and attention.
On July 3rd, 2001, she married the love of her life, Joseph Bassler. They were blessed with 16 years of marriage before he passed away on July 1st, 2017.
Mary Jeanne is survived by her four children; Brian Gray of Indianapolis, IN, Diane Semple of Brandenton, FL, Lori (Jeremy) Milner of Greenwood, IN and Jennifer (Tim) Lowe of Linton, IN. She is also survived by her loving sister Marilyn Davis of Washington IN and sisters-in-law; Mary Murphy of Washington, IN and Jean Murphy of Montgomery, IN.
She has 13 grandchildren; Logan (Rachel) Gray, Jaylon Gray, Danielle (Brad) Hammer, Dacie Broshears (Cris Romero), Madison Semple, Emma (Zach) Misiura, Chase Helms, Taylor Carroll, Natacha (Olmando) Joseph, Olivia (Addison) Wagler, Grace Carroll, Mitchell Cox and Morgan Cox. Mary Jeanne was very blessed to have 18 great grandchildren.
Also surviving are three step children; Karen (Chris) Brown of Washington IN, Eric (Julie) Bassler of Washington, IN and Chris Bassler of Washington, IN. She has 17 step grandchildren; Molly Brown, Grace Bassler, Catherine Bassler, Margaret Bassler, Will Bassler, Nick Bassler, Emma Bassler, Sarah Bassler, Joe Bassler, Christopher Bassler, Mary Bassler, Kaitlyn Milner, Jeremy Milner II, Gavin Milner, Kayla Lowe, Tucker Lowe and Tori Lowe.
She was proceeded in death by her parents Fred & Loretta Murphy; her sweet and loving husband Joseph Bassler; sisters Virginia Moore and Sharon Herring; brothers James Murphy and Steve Murphy; brothers-in-law Mike Herring, Al Moore, Ted Davis & Bill Bassler; sisters-in-law Lucille Carey, Sister Mary Elise and Mary Lou Bassler; precious granddaughter Delaney Semple
A Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church will be Celebrated at 11am. On Tuesday, February 3, 2026 with Father Paul Ferguson as celebrant. Burial will follow in St Peter Cemetery in Montgomery. Visitation from 9am to 10:45 at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church before mass on Tuesday.
Memorial donation may be given to Daviess County Right to Life P.O. Box 41 Washington, Indiana 47501 or First Choice Solution P.O. Box 589 Washington, Indiana 47501
The staff of Ed L Lee Mortuary is honored to be entrusted with the funeral services of Mary Jeanne Bassler.
