Don E Baer, 90, of Warren, Indiana, formerly of Wabash died at 7:20 pm, Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Heritage Pointe in Warren, where he had lived since 2001, coming from Lake Barbee. He was born April 28, 1925 in Urbana, Indiana to Forrest G. and Eva S. (Cripe) Baer.
Don was a 1943 graduate of Wabash High School. He was a pilot in the Army Air Corps. during World War II flying B-24’s and B-25’s. Don received his B.S. degree from Purdue University in 1950, where he played football, was on the boxing team, and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He was also a life member of the Purdue University Alumni Association and the John Purdue Club. He married Barbara A. Condra in Lafayette on February 4, 1950. Don was a school teacher, coach, administrator, and athletic director. He taught seven years at Salamonie Township in Huntington County, and 28 years at Wabash City Schools. He was also a former director of Wabash Community Service, a former superintendent of the Wabash City Parks Department, and was a substitute teacher until the age of 80. Don was a former member of the Wabash First United Methodist Church, the First United Methodist Church in Warsaw, and the Solid Rock United Methodist Church in Warren. He was a 70 year member of the American Legion, a longtime member of the Wabash Elks Lodge, the Indiana State Teachers Association, and a former member of the American Red Cross, where he taught swimming and life saving courses for 37 years.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara A Baer of Warren, three children, Michael (Michele) Baer of Sebastian, Florida, Donna K (Max) Highley of Wabash, and Joseph (Kathy ) Baer of Fort Wayne, Indiana, seven grandchildren, G. Forrest Baer of Boulder, Colorado, Morgan (Marla) Baer of Delray Beach, Florida, Jill (Kevin ) DuBois of Muncie, Indiana, Eric (Melissa) Highley of Goshen, Indiana, Alex Baer of Fort Wayne, Kalah Baer of Fort Wayne, and Jordan (Sydney) Baer of Mount Vernon, Ohio, two sisters, Lola Glazier of Wabash and Anna Lee (Raymond) Christle of West Lafayette, Indiana, 8 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Services will be 2 pm Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with David Phillips officiating. Family will receive friends from 2 – 8 pm, Tuesday at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial are to Wabash High School Athletic Department, Purdue Research Foundation R.O. Papenguth Fund (Swimming), or Wabash American Legion Post 15.
The memorial guest book for Don may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.