“Joe” Joseph Baldassano Jr.
Joseph Baldassano, Jr. was born in Bethesda, MD on May 30, 1954. He was the 4th of 6 children born to Joseph, Sr and Marie. His early childhood and teen years were spent in Rockville, MD. He enlisted in the US Army in 1976 and served with the 561st Military Police Company at Ft Myer, VA. He proudly served in the Honor Platoon, which is responsible for security at high profile and dignitary events, such as the Inaugural Parade for President Jimmy Carter. Joe met his wife, Jane Steinkamp, while both were serving in the US Army. They married in 1978, and were parents of a daughter, Brandi, and a son, Justin. After their discharge from the military, they relocated to Nebraska, where Joe continued his career and education in law enforcement. He served as a police officer in Aurora and a Cass County deputy sheriff before utilizing the GI Bill to obtain a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1990. He worked in the Nebraska Department of Corrections as a Caseworker, Parole Officer, Parole Hearing officer, Administration Assistant, Assistant Warden, and Acting Warden of Community Corrections before retiring in 2016. He then worked as a Deputy for Gage County Sheriff’s office until 2017 when he finally permanently retired. Joe enjoyed traveling, and he and Jane rode their Harley Davidson motorcycles all over the United States, visiting many National Parks. After retiring from the biker years, he still pursued traveling wherever and whenever he could. The trip of a lifetime was to the Galapagos Islands, where he swam with sea lions, trekked among giant tortoises, and walked the exact ground as his hero, Charles Darwin. This trip lasted only a week, but resulted in lifelong friendships with fellow travelers. Joe passed away on March 25, 2024 after a brief, but valiant fight with cancer. He is survived by wife of 45 years, Jane, and children, Joseph and Michael of Maryland, Brandi of Seward, and Justin of Lincoln. The apples of his eyes are his grandchildren, Savannah, Camden, and Emma. He is also survived by two sisters, Carol and Vicki, and two brothers, Michael and Stephen. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Philip. Private family services will be held at a later date. Interment will be at the Omaha National Cemetery. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Constance “Connie” Elizabeth Bashore
April 17, 1951 – February 22, 2024 Born in Denver, CO to Jerry White and Gretchen Wendt. Connie attended Lincoln High School and graduated with honors in 1969. She later went on to culinary school for baking. She made numerous cakes for all occasions, specializing in wedding cakes. Connie worked as a chef at Tabitha for many years. She continued her passion for cooking at the University of Nebraska. Connie was a homemaker and raised three children: Jeff, Joey, and Jenny. After they grew up Connie went on to work in health care at Home Instead home health specializing in Alzheimer’s and dementia. She really enjoyed all of her clients until her retirement. Connie and Joe lived a full life with their family and friends on Potter Street in the holiday house. They spent most of their time camping, fishing, playing cards, and singing Karaoke. Connie was a devoted wife, mom, grandma, and great grandma. She is survived by her three children Jeff Bashore (Beth Miller), Joey Bashore (April Bower), and Jenny Bashore (Josh Franzen); grandchildren Rebecca and Raechel Bashore, Cole Miller, Teryn, Lillyan, and Zoey Bower, and Hailey Franzen; great grandchild Apollo Schauer; and many nieces and nephews. Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Joe W. Bashore III, parents Jerry White and Gretchen Wendt, brother Rick White, grandson Cameron Bashore, and best friend Marlana Kooistra. A Celebration of Life will be held on March 10, 2024 from 1-4 p.m. at the Pine Lake Golf & Tennis Clubhouse; 6601 S. 84th St., Lincoln, NE 68516. Memorials to the family to be used for a memorial bench at a state lake. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Austin Burkhart
Austin Ryan Burkhart departed this earthly world on the morning February 19th, 2024, holding hands with his family and friends at Bryan Medical Center Hospice in Lincoln, Nebraska following a brief illness. He was 30. To know Austin was to enjoy the company of a uniquely compassionate soul who was not only able to become fast friends with anyone he met; but also nurture those relationships for a lifetime. He had a gift for bringing people together, keeping everyone in his life connected. Even though he had moved to Nebraska several years earlier to build a life together with his beloved wife Sami, he made it a point to return to Ohio several times a year to visit with grandparents on both sides of his family, as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. His most recent trip was over 4th of July weekend 2023, where he helped coordinate a birthday celebration for his dad. Austin kept everybody on their toes and belly laughing with his quick wit and often unexpected humor all weekend. It was the perfect family reunion. In Austin’s younger years he enjoyed running Lexington High School Cross Country and swimming competitively on several leagues. But his favorite days were always spent in the woods behind his childhood home with his dad and his brother, walking and riding bikes around the neighborhood. Austin was happiest when he was surrounded by family, outdoors, and especially with an animal in his arms. After graduating from college and moving to Nebraska to start a career in information technology, Austin had developed quite a talent for bowling and participated in league events with his wife and friends. He had also discovered a passion for travel. He had especially fond memories of a recent trip to the Bahamas with nearly 20 members Burkhart family, where he and his brother Aaron found dozens of starfish in a small cove and then teased his uncle Dan mercilessly about not being able to find nearly as many. There were countless adventures with family including a special trip with just him and his Aunt Jenny to Arizona; running out of gas and tossing rocks while waiting for a rescue. Austin always looked forward to his weekly “adventure day” with Aunt Sue, one of which included meeting Jack Hanna. These precious memories serve as happiness anchors to comfort and guide us as we continue to honor his legacy. Austin is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart Mrs. Sami Burkhart. Parents Mark Burkhart and Missy Blake. Laurie Gledhill-Burkhart. His Brother Aaron Burkhart and Fiancé Mary Dilworth, Grandparents Bill and Barb Burkhart, and Loren and Carol Gledhill. Aunt Susan Burkhart DVM and Adam Moyer. Aunt and Uncle Jenny and Dan McGovern, and Uncle Ken and Joy Gledhill. He was especially close with each of his cousins Madi and Josh Mueller, KJ and Kai McGovern, Cody, Zach, and Shelby Gledhill. Austin has family members and friends in Ohio and Nebraska who he deeply loved and and are far too numerous to mention. Austin’s celebration of life will be held on his birthday, Thursday March 21 2024 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church recreation hall, in Galion Ohio from 2-4pm. A private burial with family will take place at another time. We invite you to join with us in celebrating Austin’s life and honoring his memory on his 31st birthday. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to a charity of your choice, or to the community cat spay/neuter cat program we are coordinating through Animal Medical Center of Ontario, Ohio in Austin Burkhart’s name. Thank you all for the outpouring of love and support our families have received during this difficult time. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Warren H. Blow Jr.
Born on September 2, 1926. Passed away on January 17, 2024. No service information at this time. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
Roaul “Leroy” Brown
Roaul “Leroy” Brown, age 52, passed away on January 6th, 2024, with so many loved ones beside him. Leroy was born on April 1, 1971, to Lue and Luther Brown, in Oklahoma City, OK. Leroy was the baby to siblings Paula Allen (Lincoln, NE), Dorethy Brown (Laveen, AZ), Tony Brown (Sioux Falls, SD), Vallery Carlton (Vail, AZ), Aaron Brown (Lincoln, NE), and Linda Buettner (Tempe, AZ). As a young boy, Leroy and his family moved to Lincoln, NE, where he resided until his death. He attended Lincoln High School and was on the LHS Links football team. Leroy leaves behind children Khrystyna (Lincoln), Tiona (OH), Wesley (MO), Darius (AZ), and Elijah (Lincoln), as well as so many friends and family. He is preceded in death by father Luther, sisters Evelyn and Nora, and daughter Felicia. Leroy loved painting cars and was the “go-to” guy for anything car-related. He enjoyed his motorcycle rides around the country and was always ready for a camping trip and fishing. He loved fireworks, smoking meat for an outdoor BBQ, and was a devoted Oklahoma Sooners football fan. Born on April Fools’ Day, Leroy was the first to crack a joke or pull a prank. His smile and laugh were contagious, and his carefree personality brought a relaxed and unhurried presence to those around him. Leroy was selfless and always willing to help others, never expecting anything in return. He will be deeply missed by his friends and family, but we are forever grateful for the love and lessons he has left us with. A Celebration of Life will be held in Lincoln in the spring. To leave a condolence please use the form below.
Funeral Home assisting is Aspen Mortuary, 4822 Cleveland Avenue, Lincoln, NE 68504. To view an on-line obituary or email condolences please visit Aspen Mortuary’s website at www.aspenaftercare.com.
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