Obituary: Dr. Basilio Montiague Ledesma, 83, of Pentwater

January 30, 2024

Dr. Basilio Ledesma

Obituary: Dr. Basilio Montiague Ledesma, 83, of Pentwater

Basilio Montiague Ledesma, M.D., 83, of Pentwater, formerly of Flint, Michigan, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2024.

Basilio was born December 19, 1940, in Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines, the son of Jose and Asuncion (Montiague) Ledesma, one year before the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. He was the fourth of nine children and the eldest son. He excelled in school, eventually graduating with a medical doctorate from University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines in 1964. Following medical school he enrolled in Operation Brotherhood, a humanitarian project providing medical care and other services to Laotian refugees during the Vietnam War. He spent six years in Laos, honing a well-rounded set of medical skills in general medicine, obstetrics, and surgery.

In 1973, Basilio immigrated to the United States, where he was accepted first for internship at St. Joseph Hospital, and then for residency training in general surgery at Hurley Medical Center. He was recognized as a standout resident, completing residency in 1979, and continued practicing as an attending general and trauma surgeon at both Hurley Medical Center and St Joseph Hospital in Flint. He touched thousands of lives through his surgical practice which he maintained until 1997.

Following the closure of his surgical practice, Basilio moved to Pentwater and entered what he referred to as “semi-retirement”, beginning practice in emergency medicine at Lakeshore Hospital in Shelby. He concurrently practiced at Mercy Hospital’s medi-center in Muskegon during this time. Basilio continued working 12-24 hour shifts several days per week, again treating thousands of patients in this practice until his own health forced him to retire in 2016.

In addition to his dedication to his patients, he was a devoted father and husband. Basilio loved working outdoors, in his garden and greenhouse. He had an insatiable appetite for current events, politics and sports. He was full of warmth for his children and grandchildren, especially, and supported them completely in all their endeavors.

Basilio is survived by: his spouse Kay Ledesma, and former-spouse Sol Ledesma; his children, Sedone (Aimee) Ledesma, Ronald (Jessica) Ledesma, Jeremiah (Gretchen) Ledesma, Michael Ledesma; step-children, Almon Blankenship, Susan (Danny) Olson; grandchildren, Basilio Ledesma, Hugo Ledesma, Oscar Ledesma and Elicia Blankenship; siblings Rebecca Munoz, Rogelio Ledesma, Maria Eleanor “Mutya” (Francisco) Borja, and Oscar (Susan) Ledesma.

Basilio was preceded in death by: his parents, Jose and Asuncion; sisters Estefana, Gilda, and Punay; brother, Mariano.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St Joseph’s Catholic Church, 2380 W. Jackson Road, Hart with Father Phil Sliwinski presiding. The family will receive friends on Friday, February 2, 2024 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby, and at 10 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. at the church. A praying of the rosary will be held at 7:30 p.m., February 2, 2024, at Harris Funeral Home. Interment will be in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Boys Town, Donor Relations, PO Box 8000, Boys Town, NE 68010, helpkids@boystown.org.

Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.