COLUMBUS
With great sorrow the Baird family announces the passing of Donald Baird, 85, of Columbus, Indiana. Don passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at Our Hospice of Southern Indiana Inpatient Facility surrounded by his family after a brief battle with cancer.
Don was born September 13, 1937 in Jackson County. He was the son of William and Laura (Hiten) Baird. He graduated from Cortland High School in 1955. He retired from Cummins Engine Company in 1990, after 35 years of service. Don returned to work at Cummins through S &R Consulting and worked an additional 10 years, before retiring in 2000.
Don married Sharon Wilson on July 21, 1967 in Seymour, Indiana. They would have celebrated their 56th anniversary this summer. They shared five children, 17 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
Don was a current member of Columbus First Church of The Nazarene and was previously a long time member of Shiloh Baptist Church. Don served as a trustee and youth leader and served in various capacities throughout the years.
One of Don’s greatest joys was bird hunting, with his son and grandsons. He enjoyed the game of basketball. Don played throughout high school and on church leagues. He also watched IU basketball. He coached biddy basketball as well as White Creek Lutheran girls for two years. He also coached baseball for many years. He never missed attending his children and grandchildren sporting and other events throughout the years. He bowled in local leagues for many years and was an avid golfer and enjoyed camping and square dancing.
Don was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He spent a lot of time playing basketball in the driveway with his children and grandchildren. He rode snowmobiles in the winter with his family, watched them swim and just have fun in the summer.
Don took a lot of pride in his yard and woodworking. There was nothing he couldn’t make when it came to his woodworking skills. From remodeling his daughters kitchen, to remodeling his own home, making tables for his youngest daughter and creating a castle for his granddaughter’s wedding. His devotion to his work was beyond imaginable.
Don had a classic 1964 Ford Falcon convertible that he loved. He attended car shows and many awards. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to car shows and parades. Don also starred in the movie “Madison”, where his roll was the hearse driver. He would tell his grandchildren the story and they all believed their grandpa was a movie star!
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 27, 2023 at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with Pastor Travis Stamper officiating. Calling will be from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Monday. Burial will be held at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana or Donor’s Choice of Charity.
Don’s family legacy includes his wife, Sharon Baird, and his five children, Debbie Robbins of Dundee, Florida, Peggy Vinson (Blake Helt), Pam Taulman (Marcus) both of Columbus, Indiana, Kevin Baird (Kimberly) of Elizabethtown, Indiana, Kelley Howard (Bill) of North Vernon, Indiana and Jenny Noblitt of Columbus whom he loved and treated as a daughter. Also grandchildren, Amy Hege, Jason Robbins (Liubov), John Vinson (Colleen Chesnut), Alex Helt (Brittney), Talea Fields (Josh), Brittany Schwartz, Katie Labiak (Brandon), Kamie Taulman, Emily Zink, Gunnar Taulman, Korbin Baird (Rachel House), Kendall Baird (Jennifer), Kiersten Roscoe (Austin), Haley Jewell (Timmy Hubble), Kyle Jewell (Ashley Gilpin), Levi Ford and Christopher Jewell. His great-grandchildren are Eli, Tristan, Alexa, Makar, Alisa, Christopher, Eliza, Savannah, Dylan, Guy, Lyla, Chris, Ryker, Reed, Asher, Knolah and Brixton.
He was proceeded in his death by his parents, William and Laura Baird and his brother, Bob Baird.
