Ira I. Bastin, 82, for many years one of the most popular drivers at the Bloomington Speedway and many other area tracks, died at his home near Hendricksville in Greene County Tuesday January 17, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Ira - commonly pronounced "Arie" by family and friends - was born in Bloomington July 6, 1940, to Paul and Thelma (Utterback) Bastin.
By profession, he was owner and operator of Bastin Excavating. But he loved to drive race cars, and his hard-charging style and his strong, massive build - his helmeted head frequently was visible atop his vehicle but he never had a serious racing injury - gave him a personal following especially locally but notable wherever he raced. He won more than 200 feature races and seven championships, competing on tracks around the U.S.
He married his beloved wife Rose Abram in 1974. She survives, as do sons Jade (and spouse Tiny) Harris and Mark (Kate) McNeal, brother Phillip (Julie) Bastin, sisters Liz Caves and Esther (Carl) Jackson, grandchildren Crystal (Curtis) Minnick, Amber Harris, Ryan (Lindsey) McNeal and Chad Harris, step-granddaughter Jaycie (Ryan) Edwards, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, all part of a family very dear to him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers (Ezra, Paul, David, John and Ray Bastin), three sisters (Ruth Dubbels, Mary Henry and Rachel Bassiker), and a very close grandson, David Gunnar McNeal.
Ira was educated in Bloomington schools and in the late 1950s served in the Navy, primarily stationed in California. He was a particularly strong follower of Indiana University basketball and his friend, Bob Knight.
Private graveside services were held. A public memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 23, 2023 at the Hendricksville Community Center, 8866 IN-43, Solsberry, IN
By profession, he was owner and operator of Bastin Excavating. But he loved to drive race cars, and his hard-charging style and his strong, massive build - his helmeted head frequently was visible atop his vehicle but he never had a serious racing injury - gave him a personal following especially locally but notable wherever he raced. He won more than 200 feature races and seven championships, competing on tracks around the U.S.
He married his beloved wife Rose Abram in 1974. She survives, as do sons Jade (and spouse Tiny) Harris and Mark (Kate) McNeal, brother Phillip (Julie) Bastin, sisters Liz Caves and Esther (Carl) Jackson, grandchildren Crystal (Curtis) Minnick, Amber Harris, Ryan (Lindsey) McNeal and Chad Harris, step-granddaughter Jaycie (Ryan) Edwards, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, all part of a family very dear to him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers (Ezra, Paul, David, John and Ray Bastin), three sisters (Ruth Dubbels, Mary Henry and Rachel Bassiker), and a very close grandson, David Gunnar McNeal.
Ira was educated in Bloomington schools and in the late 1950s served in the Navy, primarily stationed in California. He was a particularly strong follower of Indiana University basketball and his friend, Bob Knight.
Private graveside services were held. A public memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 23, 2023 at the Hendricksville Community Center, 8866 IN-43, Solsberry, IN
Ira I. Bastin, 82, for many years one of the most popular drivers at the Bloomington Speedway and many other area tracks, died at his home near Hendricksville in Greene County Tuesday January 17, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Ira - commonly pronounced "Arie" by family and friends - was born in Bloomington July 6, 1940, to Paul and Thelma (Utterback) Bastin.
By profession, he was owner and operator of Bastin Excavating. But he loved to drive race cars, and his hard-charging style and his strong, massive build - his helmeted head frequently was visible atop his vehicle but he never had a serious racing injury - gave him a personal following especially locally but notable wherever he raced. He won more than 200 feature races and seven championships, competing on tracks around the U.S.
He married his beloved wife Rose Abram in 1974. She survives, as do sons Jade (and spouse Tiny) Harris and Mark (Kate) McNeal, brother Phillip (Julie) Bastin, sisters Liz Caves and Esther (Carl) Jackson, grandchildren Crystal (Curtis) Minnick, Amber Harris, Ryan (Lindsey) McNeal and Chad Harris, step-granddaughter Jaycie (Ryan) Edwards, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, all part of a family very dear to him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers (Ezra, Paul, David, John and Ray Bastin), three sisters (Ruth Dubbels, Mary Henry and Rachel Bassiker), and a very close grandson, David Gunnar McNeal.
Ira was educated in Bloomington schools and in the late 1950s served in the Navy, primarily stationed in California. He was a particularly strong follower of Indiana University basketball and his friend, Bob Knight.
Private graveside services were held. A public memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 23, 2023 at the Hendricksville Community Center, 8866 IN-43, Solsberry, IN
By profession, he was owner and operator of Bastin Excavating. But he loved to drive race cars, and his hard-charging style and his strong, massive build - his helmeted head frequently was visible atop his vehicle but he never had a serious racing injury - gave him a personal following especially locally but notable wherever he raced. He won more than 200 feature races and seven championships, competing on tracks around the U.S.
He married his beloved wife Rose Abram in 1974. She survives, as do sons Jade (and spouse Tiny) Harris and Mark (Kate) McNeal, brother Phillip (Julie) Bastin, sisters Liz Caves and Esther (Carl) Jackson, grandchildren Crystal (Curtis) Minnick, Amber Harris, Ryan (Lindsey) McNeal and Chad Harris, step-granddaughter Jaycie (Ryan) Edwards, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, all part of a family very dear to him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers (Ezra, Paul, David, John and Ray Bastin), three sisters (Ruth Dubbels, Mary Henry and Rachel Bassiker), and a very close grandson, David Gunnar McNeal.
Ira was educated in Bloomington schools and in the late 1950s served in the Navy, primarily stationed in California. He was a particularly strong follower of Indiana University basketball and his friend, Bob Knight.
Private graveside services were held. A public memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 23, 2023 at the Hendricksville Community Center, 8866 IN-43, Solsberry, IN
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
