Paul Edward Baert

Paul Edward Baert, of Howell, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022. He was 81 years old. Paul is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Karen (O'Donnell), daughter Kristin Keith of Dexter, Michigan, son Brian (Joan) Baert of Wixom, Michigan, and son Kevin (Traci) Baert of Commerce Township, Michigan. He is also survived by his sister Jeanne Baert of Austin, Texas, and seven grandchildren: Thomas, Collin, Tinsaye, Trevor, Meredith, Solomon, and Kathryn.
Paul was born in Mishawaka, Indiana and married his sweetheart Karen in 1964. They lived in South Bend and Granger, Indiana and had three children. Paul worked full time at Ball Band (Uniroyal) to support his family while also putting himself through school at Indiana University, graduating with a business degree. Paul became a successful automotive manufacturing sales specialist with Bendix, Abex, Cooper, and Federal Mogul. His work brought the family to Clarkston, Michigan in 1981 where their children graduated high school and where Paul and Karen lived until moving to Howell in 2004.
Paul loved everything mechanical, especially trains and cars. In retirement, Paul volunteered at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant museum, where he helped restore the windows in the original workshop of the Model T. He loved to fix things and he loved growing the best (and earliest!) tomatoes. Paul devoted many hours to his grandchildren, driving them all over Michigan to attend their sports, music, dance, and arts activities. A lifelong and devoted fan of the Fighting Irish, Paul followed Notre Dame sports with a passion and spent many football Saturdays with family and friends in the shadow of the Golden Dome cheering on his Irish.
A funeral mass will be held in honor of Paul on Saturday, October 22 at 11am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Howell, Michigan. Visitation with family and friends will precede the funeral starting at 10am. Paul will be laid to rest at Cedar Grove cemetery at Notre Dame at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Paul's name to St. Joseph Catholic Church of Howell, the Ford Piquette Plant at fordpiquetteplant.org or to Ballet Chelsea by emailing info@balletchelsea.org.