Charlene Baum

1934 - 2015

Charlene A. Baum passed into eternal life on Friday, July 3. She was born Charlene Ann Peck on August 1, 1934, in Aurora, Illinois, the 5th child of her parents, Arthur and Rose (Oberberger) Peck. She was employed at Konrad's Soda Shop and The First National Bank until her marriage on July 31, 1954, to the love of her life, Dale Edward Baum. A devoted mother and homemaker, she raised her children before returning to work, first at The Wurst Kitchen, and later as part owner and operator of Charlyn's Flower Shop. Upon her husband's retirement from the Aurora Fire Department in 1983, Char and Dale moved to Largo, Florida, where they raised their granddaughter Jennifer. They were active members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurora, IL and Christ the King Lutheran Church in Largo, Florida. In their leisure, Char and Dale enjoyed traveling in their motor home, visiting family and friends around the country and reveling in our country's natural treasures, including a memorable trip from Florida to Alaska's Denali National Park and back. In addition to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Char's passions included playing cards with her siblings and employing her boundless creativity in arts and crafts. She was an avid Chicago sports fan, rarely missing an opportunity to cheer on her beloved Bulls and White Sox. Char is survived by her children, Michael (Janice) Baum of Montgomery; Mark (Diane) Baum of Oswego; Michele (David) Popdan of Aurora; and Matt Baum of Las Vegas, Nevada; her grandchildren, Jennifer (Bradley) Lake, of San Antonio, Texas; Lindsey (Aaron) Lewis of Aurora; Katherine (Chris) Sauerwein of Aurora; and Luke Baum of Oswego; her great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Marissa Lake, Tahlia Lewis, and Quinn Sauerwein; a brother Stan (Barbara) Peck; her sisters Joyce Montgomery, Thelma Peck, and Margie (David) Tate; her sisters-in-law Rosemary Peck, Lois Caruana, and Carol Waltrip, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Rose; her brothers Donald, Russell, and Art; and brothers-in-law, Earl Montgomery, Peter Caruana, and Howard Waltrip. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8, from 3:00 to 7:00 at Dieterle Memorial Home, 1120 S. Broadway Avenue, Montgomery, IL. Her family will also receive visitors from 10:00 to 10:30, prior to the funeral service on Thursday, July 9th at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 85 S. Constitution, Aurora, IL, with the Rev. Angel Morales officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paul's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Charlene's memory may be made to St. Paul Lutheran School. Arrangements by Dieterle Memorial Home 630-897-1196 www.dieterlememorialhome.com