Arnold E. “Pappy” Baer, age 84, of Mount Gilead, died Sunday morning, November 13, 2011, at the Bennington Glen Care Center following an extended illness.
On March 24, 1927, Arnold was born in Jackson, Ohio, one of 22 children of the late Isreal and Bertha (Coffman) Baer.
Leaving school early to work, Arnold helped his family as often as he could, whether it meant working in the coal mines or running whiskey.
Eventually settling down in Mount Gilead, Arnold worked for many years for the Morrow County Road Maintenance Department in the 1950’s and 60’s. Then, he transferred to the Hydraulic Press Manufacturing Corporation, where he worked for over 20 years in the machine maintenance and shop blast department, until his retirement in 1992. Everyone there at the shop knew him as “Doc”.
A man of unconventional faith, Arnold went “from church to church to wherever he felt at home”, often staying for a year or two.
With a love for music, Arnold enjoyed playing the harmonica and the guitar, mainly playing gospel and bluegrass music.
Having never met a stranger, Arnold would visit with anyone in town for as long as they would talk with him, and he especially enjoyed flirting with any woman who would listen to him.
Easy to please, Arnold could be kept happy if he was fishing and chewing. He will also be remembered as the marble champion of Caledonia, and as the self proclaimed “the best auctioneer livin”.
Arnold will be missed by his five sons: Mark (Chris) Baer of Chesterville, David Baer of Mansfield, Dan (Sherry) Baer, Matt (Lisa) Baer, both of Mount Gilead, and Tim (Nikki) Baer of Mansfield; four daughters: Dixie (Mark) Stanley of Stone Creek, Holly (Jack) Robinson of Uhrichsville, Heather (Rob) Ratcliff of Johnsville, and Heidi (Jerry) Vandevelde of Texas; 19 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; a brother, Teddy Baer of Florida; and oodles of nieces and nephews.
Including his parents, Arnold was preceded in death by 20 brothers and sisters; and by his beloved grandson, Jared Baer.
The Baer family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services honoring his life will also be held there on Thursday at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Rob Ratcliff officiating. Burial will follow in Caledonia Cemetery. Family and friends will then be welcome to join them for a meal in Pappy’s honor at the Chester Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to any church of the donor’s choice. Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead is honored to have been chosen to serve Arnold’s family, and condolences may be expressed to them online by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
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