Ralph David Baumer's Obituary
OBITUARY
Ralph D. Baumer
Ralph David Baumer was born on June 23, 1949 in Belleville, Il., and died April 3, 2017 at the Edwardsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Edwardsville, Il.
Ralph suffered a brain injury when he was young and was limited in his abilities. It is often said it takes a Village to raise a child and that is what happened in the city of Columbia, Il., where Ralph grew up. Ralph was the honorary manager of the Columbia High School baseball teams under the leadership of the late Vernon Smith, and he took great pride in the Columbia Eagles. That was his team!! He also worked for the area funeral homes, delivering the funeral announcement cards to the local businesses. When people saw Ralph walking on the sidewalks of downtown, the locals knew to watch out because Ralph had a tendency to cross the street whenever and wherever he wanted to. He continued to live in his beloved Columbia until the untimely passing of his Mom, Gladys Baumer, and it was at that time he was taken to a series of homes, trying to find the right fit for him. That process would take years until he was placed in a group home in Wood River, run by the William M. Bedell Achievement & Resource Center in Madison County. FINALLY A FIT!! Ralph was very happy living in a regular home with a house parent and several other clients. He lived there for many years. Unfortunately, when he broke his hip during a fall he had to be placed in the Edwardsville Nursing and Rehab facility, but no worries, the staff at the Nursing Home loved him and he loved them back.
Ralph loved his family, holidays, his birthday, the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Blues. Ralph found joy in the simplest things and loved beating everyone at Yahtzee! After a game, he would break out in a big smile and was always ready to play again. He loved teasing the staff members at the nursing home and there is no doubt he was a favorite of theirs.
The family would like to thank the caring staffs at both the Edwardsville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and the William M. Bedell Achievement & Resource Center.
Ralph was preceded in death by his dad, Alfred Baumer, on April 15, 1955, his mom, Gladys Baumer, on May 27, 1977, his sister, Alice Liechty, on January 10, 2016, paternal grandparents, William and Henrietta Baumer, and maternal grandparents, Edward and Hilda Buettner.
He is survived by his sister, Patricia (Chuck) Kalert of Freeburg, Il., and his brother Donald (Gina) Baumer of Troy, Il. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Melvin Liechty of Newark, DE., nieces and nephews, Jessica (Michael) Wray, Rebecca (Thad) Lucas, Alison (Dave) Gilifeski, Dr. Ben Liechty, Stephanie (Jimmy) Usery and Tyler Baumer, along with great nephew , Evan Lucas and great nieces, Reagan Lucas, Delaney Wray and Brynn Wray. Also mourning his passing are his aunts, cousins and extended family members.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 7, 2017 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, Il., with services on Saturday, April 8, at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home, with Pastor Kris Avise-Rouse, officiating. Burial will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Columbia, Il. In Ralph’s memory, memorials can be made to the Edwardsville Nursing and Rehabilitation Activity Fund. For more information, please access our website, www.lawlorfuneralhome.com.
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