George J. Basler of Winamac, IN, formerly of Harvey, IL passed away on February 11, 2020 at Pulaski Health Care Center in Winamac, IN at the age of 93 years. He was born September 15, 1926 in Cobden, IL, the son of George J. Basler, Sr. and Ruby L. Basler (nee Cavaness).Beloved husband of late Leona Basler (nee Kostyrka) George is survived by his two sons: Kurt J. Basler and Byron G. Basler. He left high school early to enlist in the United States Navy during the height of WWII. After serving honorably in the Pacific with the Navy during and until the end of World War II, he returned to his home in Southern Illinois where he worked on the family farm as well as various other jobs. George met the love of his life Leona while she was a student at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL and they were married in 1956 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in her hometown of Harvey, IL. George worked as a machinist at Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria and Joliet. After getting married he moved to a job as a machinist at Whiting Corporation in Harvey, where he worked until his retirement. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking and all projects around the house. Along with Leona's father Joseph, he helped build the house for his family in Harvey and did all the maintenance and repair himself. George was meticulous and a perfectionist in everything he did, and it showed in the results. After the passing of Leona, George moved to Bass Lake, Indiana.