COLUMBUS
Todd Allyn Baxter departed this life on April 15, 2024. He was born in Watseka, Illinois on April 8, 1964, the firstborn son of Ralph David Baxter and Elsie Ann Dressler. He attended El Paso High School in El Paso, Illinois, graduating as Salutatorian in 1982. He then continued his education at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology. While at the U of I, he was an active member of Chi Psi Fraternity, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF), and the Varsity Men’s Glee Club. He attended Illinois Wesleyan Foundation Church and then Twin City Bible Church (TCBC) while on campus. It was through IVCF and TCBC that he met his wife, Karen Leah Seitzinger, the daughter of Grover Leonard and June Rose Seitzinger of Danville, Illinois. A month after graduating from the U of I, he and Karen were married on June 14, 1986, at the First Presbyterian Church in Danville.
Dr. Baxter continued his education at Southern Illinois University, obtaining his medical degree in 1990. From there he, Karen, and their firstborn son, Stephen Matthew, moved to Indianapolis where Dr. Baxter completed his internship and residency in Pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children. While in Indianapolis, their second son Daniel Joseph was born in 1991. In 1993, the family moved to Columbus, Indiana where Dr. Baxter joined Northside Pediatric Associates. He enjoyed a career of nearly 30 years with this group, watching it grow to a five-physician partnership and transition through three office sites. During his career, Dr. Baxter also served several terms on the Bioethics Committee for Columbus Regional Hospital, three terms as the Chief of Pediatrics, and over 15 years on the Bartholomew County Child Protective Team.
Dr. Baxter also enjoyed serving in the mission field, after being introduced to this by his parents when they took his siblings and him to an Indian reservation in Oklahoma when he was growing up in El Paso. While attending the U of I, he traveled to the Yucatan Peninsula with the Indiana Wesleyan foundation and returned to Mexico a year later with Youth with a Mission. During his residency years, he served with Mercy Ships on a short-term trip with the MV Anastasis in the Dominican Republic. After moving to Columbus, Dr. Baxter and his family served various times with Vida Nueva Ministries in Piedras Negras, Mexico, and Columbus Medical Missions (to Valladolid, Colima, and Palenque, Mexico.) He also traveled to Kaihura, Uganda with 410 Bridge while attending Westside Community Church of Columbus. (After a long and stressful trip through Chicago, London, and Entebbe, he was delighted and honored to be dubbed “Dad” by the seven young men and women he accompanied on the trip!) In most recent years, Dr. Baxter and Karen have enjoyed serving in the Columbus Area Emmaus and Chrysalis communities and Residents Encounter Christ. It was through his school studies and international travel, along with the help of his wife, that Dr. Baxter gained fluency in medical Spanish and was able to serve the Spanish-speaking community of Columbus for over 25 years.
Dr. Baxter enjoyed music, beginning the piano at the age of 6 and playing this throughout his lifetime in the various churches he and his family attended. He was an active member of Ogilville Christian Church and served on the music team there for many years. He also enjoyed gardening, riding his 2018 Goldwing, traveling, hiking, and running. He was a member of the Columbus Running Club, the 50 States 50 Marathons Club, Marathon Maniacs, and the 100 Marathon Club of the Americas. He completed a marathon in all 50 states, with a total of 100 marathons (26.2 miles) 9 ultramarathons, and 23 half-marathons. His favorite race was his 50th state marathon in Eugene, Oregon in 2014. He was blessed to be able to have Karen meet him at the finish line, and to pick her up and carry her across it as he completed state #50!
Dr. Baxter is survived by his mother, Ann Baxter of El Paso, Illinois; his wife Karen; his sons Stephen Matthew and Daniel Joseph; his brothers David Eric Baxter of Eureka, Illinois, and Scott Eryn Baxter (Michelle) of Saybrook, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his sister, Dawn Denise, his father, Ralph David Baxter, his paternal grandparents Lawrence David and Neva Imogene (Paul) Baxter of Carthage, Illinois; his maternal grandparents Ralph Hanie and Margaret Ann (Coughlin) Savidge of Bloomington, Illinois, and Margaret’s first husband, George Lyle Dressler of El Paso, Illinois.
A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Ogilville Christian Church with Dr. Martin E. Wright officiating.
Family and friends may gather for a time of visitation from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Ogilville Christian Church and 10:00 a.m. to time of service at the church.
Following cremation, Dr. Baxter will be laid to rest at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery on Terrace Lake Road, near their home in Columbus.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Columbus Area Emmaus or Chrysalis communities, Residents Encounter Christ, Chainbreaker House (Columbus, Illinois), or Riley Hospital for Children.
Arrangements by Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family at barkesweaverglick.com
