Baird Daniels

Baird E. (Gene) Daniels, 80, of Decatur, IL., passed away at 7:23 A.M. on Saturday (09-24-2011) at home. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday (09-27-2011) at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, IL., with visitation from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Monday (09-26-2011) at the funeral home. Burial at Graceland Cemetery Decatur, IL. Military Rites will be conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 105 Baseball, and/or Shrine Hospital for Children, St. Louis, MO . Born in Decatur, January 25, 1931, a son of Cohea B. and Inez E. (Branson) Daniels Attended Decatur Public schools, graduating from Decatur High School in 1949. Member of 1948 DHS baseball team. Holds bachelor degrees in chemistry from Millikin University and one in journalism from the University of Illinois. Member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity at Millikin. Worked as a photographer, reporter and editor for 11 years at the Herald and Review. Served as photographer for Army newspaper in Austria during the Korean War Retired in 1987 after 22 years in customer service in the Industrial Sales Department at A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. Served as Illinois American Legion 4th Division baseball chairman 11 years, and served as Department Baseball Commission Chairman six years Member and past president of Decatur Genealogical Society. Member of American Legion Post 105, Ansar Shrine of Springfield, Ansar Eagles of Decatur and Stephen Decatur Masonic Lodge 979. He married Darlene Hensley, December 25, 1959, in Tabernacle Baptist Church. She survives. Leaves three sons: Doctor Reverend Roger (wife Alice) of Arizona City, AZ, formerly of Decatur; Douglas (wife Julia) of Auburn; and Ronald (wife Dolores) of Belle Rive, IL.; Seven marvelous grandchildren: Coey Daniels (wife Laura), Chris Daniels (wife Mallory), Stephanie Daniels, Amy Daniels, Katelyn Daniels, Samantha Daniels, Brent Daniels; One great granddaughter: Julianne Daniels He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother. "
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