Michael Todd Baird

1970 - 2013

Michael Todd Baird, 43, of Bloomington, went home to be with his Lord Monday afternoon, Aug. 26, 2013, at 4:40 p.m. at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at Calvary Baptist Church in Normal, with Pastors Mel Barth and Jerry Kamphuis officiating. Burial will be at East Lawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Friday at Calvary Baptist Church in Normal. A walk through of law enforcement will be at 3:30 p.m. prior to the visitation on Friday at the church. Arrangements are through Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home in Bloomington.

Mike was born Aug. 5, 1970, in Normal, to Samuel Lee and Sherilyn Jean (Alvis) Baird. He graduated from high school at Calvary Baptist Academy in 1988. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Millikin University in Decatur in 1992. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

He married Janean Marie Thompson on May 31, 1997, in Jacksonville. He was a very talented artist and was employed as a graphic designer for Hobbico in Champaign. Mike began working as a police officer for the town of Normal in April 1998, and was a sworn officer at the time of his death. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Normal, Carl S. Martin Post 635 American Legion, Police Benevolent & Protection Association Unit 22, Normal Police Honor Guard, Emergency Response Unit and Hostage Negotiation Team. Mike also held the positions of Field Training Officer and Prairie City Soccer League Coach.

He is survived by his parents, Sam and Sherilyn Baird of Hudson; his wife, Janean Baird of Bloomington; two sons, Travis James and Andrew Thomas Baird, both of Bloomington; one brother, Steven Lee (Vanessa) Baird of Hudson; one sister, Kimberly Sue Baird of Oswego; two nieces, Josey Baird and Emma Wilson; and three nephews, Bradley Thompson, Bode Thompson and Kyle Wilson.

Pallbearers will be the Normal Police Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be his two sons, Travis and Andrew Baird and his brother and sister, Steven and Kimberly Baird.

Mike was a loving and caring father, devoted public servant and will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Calvary Christian Academy, Police Benevolent & Protective Association Unit 22 or Illinois Cancer Care Foundation.

The family would like to thank Pastor Mel Barth, the Normal Police Department and the Town of Normal for all the support that they have shown to them during Michael's valiant cancer battle.