Basil Dean Coffelt, age 75, of Osawatomie, Kansas died Saturday, January 13, 2007 at Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, Kansas.

Basil was born October 11, 1931 in Osawatomie. He was the only child of Basil Benjamin and Bessie Mree (Casto) Coffelt. He grew up in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1949.

Basil was married September 19, 1953 in Garnett, Kansas to Jeris Leneal Dial. They made their home in Osawatomie and became the parents of five children.

He joined the Naval Reserve at Olathe, Kansas. He served six months then joined the U. S. Air Force for three and a half years from May 1949 until December 1952.

He was employed by the Missouri Pacific Railroad and then by the Union Pacific Railroad. He retired in 1993 as a conductor after 40 years of service.

Basil enjoyed hunting and fishing in his younger years before his health began to fail. He also enjoyed camping and traveling.

He was a member of the American Legion in Paola.

He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Jeris of the home; two sons Stephen D. Coffelt and Philip (Jolene) Coffelt both of Osawatomie; three daughters Cathy Coffelt, Karen M. Noble, and Kim (Mark) Bailey all of Osawatomie; 15 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home with military honors conducted by a unit from Whiteman Air Force Base. Burial was in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Pallbearers were grandsons Benjamin Coffelt, Chad Coffelt, Joshua Coffelt, James McRoberts, Jesse McRoberts, Ethan Bailey, Robbie Sobba, and Ryan Sobba. Honorary pallbearers were granddaughters Jennifer Atkinson, Elizabeth Hall, Susan Meitler, Kyla Coffelt, Lisa Kehl, Mikayla Bailey, and Michelle Pruett. Memorials are to the First Baptist Church in Osawatomie.