John Casimer Baibak Sr.

A visitation will be held from 6-8pm with a rosary service led by Deacon Kevin Orth at 7:30pm on 10/19/2018 at Catholic Community of St. Jude, 801 North Bridge Street, DeWitt, Michigan.

Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday Oct. 20 with visitation one hour prior at the Catholic Community of St. Jude with Fr. Bob Irish officiating. Military Honors will be presented at 10:45am. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes.

John was born in March 29 1938 in Detroit, MI, the son of Lithuanian immigrants. His family lived in Mason County MI. After the passing of his father in 1941 he lived a somewhat transient life, but this much we know is true… He lived in Chicago with his Mom and Stepfather, where he would hang out at the Boys Club after school and would occassionally take the bus back and forth to the farm in Mason County MI by himself. He attended High School in Custer Michigan and graduated as Salutatorian of the class of 57. He attended the University of Michigan in 1958 and transferred to Grand Rapids Junior College in 1962, and then in 1964 he attended Fenn College in Cleveland. In 1988 he received a Bachelors Degree from Spring Arbor University. In the early Cleveland years he spent his time doing polka dancing and working. He met his wife of 53 years on a blind date in 1964. He was young, handsome, hardworking, and pious. They married in 1965 and had 5 kids over the next decade. He was curious, self-reliant, resourceful, and could always figure out how to fix anything. John’s natural inclination was to be of service to people and because he had a wide span of knowledge he was incredibly valuable to have around. In the early 1980’s he took a position at Fisher Body, of Lansing Michigan and he moved his family north, to DeWitt Michigan. He was a beloved husband, father of five, grandfather of six and great-grandfather of two. He was a respected member of the Catholic Community of St. Jude, where he served as a 4th degree Knight of Columbus and usher. He left a mark.

John is preceded in death by his mother, Helen Donnora, his father, Zigmont Baibak, his brother Stanley, Baibak, and sister, Helen Budzynski.

John is survived by his wife, Donna Baibak; daughter, Christine Butler and her spouse Jeff; sons, Joseph and his spouse, Cheryl, Steven and his spouse, Amy, John and his spouse, Mary; and youngest daughter Beth; as well as his grandchildren, Samantha Hendricks and her spouse, Matt, Jeffery Butler, Jonathon Butler, Lily Baibak, Maya Baibak, Anna Baibak; his great-grandchildren, Logan and Lauren Hendricks.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Catholic Community of St. Jude Building Fund, 409 Wilson St, Dewitt, MI 48820.

God knew you were getting tired

and a cure was not to be.

He placed His arms around you

and whispered, “Come to me.”

A golden heart stopped beating,

hard working hands are now at rest.

Our consolation is in knowing that

God only takes the best.