Wayne was born November 2, 1921 at Heyworth to Virgil Roy and Mary Stratton Bell Baird. He married H. LaVerne Weicht November 26, 1942 in Pittsburg, KS.
Surviving are his children, Mary Louise (Joseph, Jr.) Van Valey, Bloomington, Carol Ann Emmett (James) Smiley, Bloomington, Lynda Kay (Timothy, Sr.) Arnold, Normal, Wayne Elmond (Elizabeth [Miller]) Baird, Jr., O’Fallon, Susan Rene Weiss (Parke) Weatherford, Plano, Cynthia Elaine (Mark) Segobiano, Bloomington, and Elizabeth Joan (Don E.) Minikel, Chisinau, Moldova; 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 11 step-great-grandchildren; 1 brother, George (Edith) Baird, Boise D’Arc, MO; and 1 sister, Charlene Baird, Bloomington.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Merle Gene and James H. Baird; a son-in-law, Jack Emmett, Jr.; grandson, John Emmett III, and great-grandson Bodie Bauer.
Funeral mass for Wayne will be held at 11am Friday, March 8, 2013 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4-7pm Thursday, March 7, 2013 at East Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington. A prayer service and time to share memories will begin at 6:30pm Thursday. Father Doug Hennesy will officiate. Entombment will follow services in East Lawn Memorial Gardens mausoleum.
Wayne graduated from Bloomington High School in 1940 and attended Premier Boys State where he received a Civil Service Certificate for the office of Fire Marshall and Certificate of Appointment as Health Commissioner. He served his country during WWII from 1942-1945 with the Army Air Corps, and retired after 35 years of service with the Bloomington Post Office in 1987. Wayne was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Normal American Legion Post #635, APWU, and the Bloomington Moose. He enjoyed bowling, traveling, being outdoors, and playing cards. He was a St. Louis Cardinal fan for over 70 years. He loved attending activities and events of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and wrote his autobiography to pass on to them, as well as spending time with the rest of the gang.
The family would like to thank Dr. Bruha & Fresenius Medical Center, Heritage Health Bloomington, OSF, and Faith in Action.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to his daughter’s missionary service at www.HarvestingMoldova.org
Condolences or memories may be shared at www.EastLawn-Bloomington.com
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