Donald Baldwin

Donald Ren Baldwin, 88 of rural Independence, Kansas died on November 10, 2012 at the Kansas Medical Center in Andover. Cremation has taken place and Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Potts Chapel. Inurnment will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery under the direction of the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas. The family has suggested memorials to the Wounded Warriors Project and contributions may be left at the Potts Chapel. Don was born September 4, 1924 in Neodesha to Joseph Franklin Baldwin and Bertie Myrtle Lukenbill Baldwin. Most of his life was spent in and around Neodesha. He attended North Lawn Elementary and Neodesha High School as well as Independence Community College. He served in the Army Air Corp from November, 1942 thru February 1946 serving most of his time as a Flight Engineer on the B17. On September 19, 1947 he married Neoma Hash of Fredonia at the Methodist Church in Coffeyville, Ks. Don was preceded in death by Neoma in November of 2008. They are survived by their children, Lynda, and Dr. Michael Stark of Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Russell and Janice Borror Baldwin of Independence, Ronald and Margaret Karas Baldwin of Saucier, MS and David and Bonnie Lour Baldwin, Neodesha. Grandchildren, Susan Wilson, Vancouver, British Columbia, Dr. Rochelle Stark, Marshall, Minnesota Stephen Stark, Grand Cache, Alberta Russell Baldwin II and wife Denise of Independence, Ks Elaine Baldwin Aiken and husband Steen of Jay, Ok Tisha Coker, Waveland, MS, Ronald Baldwin II and wife Anna of Canton, MS Don Baldwin and wife Theresa of Biloxi, MS Kim and husband Dale Withroder of Olsburg, KS Amanda and husband Chad Coleman of Olathe, KS Travis Baldwin and wife Rosie of Valdosta, GA. Great Grand Children, Joel, Caitlin, Hannah, Zachary, Noah and Sara Wilson of Vancouver, BA Jonathan Baldwin of Independence Riley and Tucker Aiken of Jay, OK Elizabeth Baldwin, Biloxi, MS Brody Coker of Waveland, MS Allyse Baldwin of Canton, MS Corrine, Latham and Cullen Withroder of Olsburg, KS Claire Coleman of Olathe, KS Ryan Carter and Reece Baldwin of Valdosta, GA. Dons siblings all preceded him in death. They were: William Bill Baldwin Kathryn Baldwin Brown Howard Ruth Baldwin Shoemaker Elven Red Dorothy Baldwin Middleton Clyde. One more brother, Virgil Randall Baldwin died at age 2. Don working years included working for Estel Schaeffers garage, operating his own auto body shop, W.J. Small, Archer Daniels Midland ADM, United Tank Lines UTL, MEC and later for Josef Barbi at Engineered Systems Equipment ESE in Caney.