Thomas Baird's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Thomas Lee Baird, age 60 of Charleston, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham. Memorial Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 22, 2011 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Visitation will be held from 4:00 Friday afternoon until Service time. Private Inurnment will be held in the Boiling Springs Cemetery in Hickory Point Township, Macon County, Illinois. It is requested that memorial gifts in his honor be made to his family in care of Chris or Lora Baird. Gifts may be left on the memorial table at the visitation or services or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL 61920. Thomas was born in Indianola, Iowa on September 13, 1950 the son of William Lee and Betty Lu (Calif) Baird. He married Peggy (McDermet) Pfeiffer in 1972 and later married Debbie (Schmidt) Matson in 1986. He is survived by his mother, Betty Lu Baird of Findlay, Ohio; a son, Christopher Thomas Baird and wife Sherry of Katy, Texas; a daughter, Lora Le Baird of Newton, Illinois; a step-daughter, Alison (Cougill) Schoonover, also of Newton; two grandchildren, Jillian Baird and Thomas Baird, also of Katy; a step-grandchild, Haylee Schoonover, also of Newton; and a sister, Sue Taylor, also of Findlay. Tom was preceded in death by his father. Tom was a Veteran of the Iowa National Guard. He moved to Charleston after accepting a position with Neal Tire as a sales representative and later took a job as a sales rep with the Motor Manuals Company. Most recently he was employed with GR Mast Concrete in Arthur, Illinois. Tom enjoyed his memberships to clubs such as the Charleston Country Club, Moose, Elks and Eagles. He was an extremely social individual and was happiest when surrounded by people. He enjoyed cooking and was always willing to don his chef's apron and lend a helping hand whenever needed at a social or charity event. He was also an avid bowler and enjoyed golfing. Tom was blessed with a wealth of friends and a family who dearly loved him and who will miss his presence in their lives. Click to view Family Memorial Video.
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