Theodore Baer

1937 - 2025

Theodore James ("Ted" or "James") Baer, age 88, of Springfield, IL, died at 3:55 p.m. October 31, 2025, at the Villas East in Sherman, IL. He was born August 14, 1937, in Danville, IL, son of Ora James Baer and Rowena (White) Baer. Survivors include two sisters Denise Lor Baer of Silver Spring, MD and Mary Margaret ("Peg") Baer Vickers of Edwardsville, IL; a brother Scott James (Lori) Baer of Tempe, AZ; and eleven nieces and nephews and thirteen grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ora J. Baer and Rowena White and his second mother, Mary Lucille ("Lucy") Baer; his beloved sister Kaye Delores Baer Smith of Decatur IL and his brother, Ora James Baer II of Champaign IL.

Mr. Baer was a longtime high school educator of science and industrial arts, and worked in the family businesses, the Ora J. Baer Company and Baer's Motel and Mobile Home Park in Hoopeston. Mr. Baer served with pride in the Army Reserve, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Ted graduated from John Greer (Hoopeston) High School in 1956 where he played basketball and football. He received a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1960, and a Master of Science in Education in 1976, both from Eastern Illinois University where his sister Kaye also attended.

Ted's first teaching position was in Henning, and he taught in a number of schools in Wellington, East Lynn, Muncie, Decatur and Springfield, retiring in the 1990s from Springfield Southeast High School.

Ted was an avid model plane enthusiast and working with amateur or ham radio as well as tinkering with all things mechanical. Mr. Baer was a member of several model airplane flying clubs and amateur radio as well as shooting ranges and the National Rifle Association.

Ted will always be remembered for his wide circle of friends throughout Illinois and Indiana and his devotion to extended family throughout his life. He enjoyed camping, road trips, mushroom hunting, photography, and bowling with his fellow teachers.

A memorial service will be held Monday, November 17, 2025, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St., Hoopeston, IL, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. and services at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be in Amity Cemetery in Goodwine/Milford IL.

Memorials are suggested to the Hoopeston Jaycees, Historic Amity Cemetery c/o Lovejoy Township IL, or the National Model Airplane Museum in Muncie IN.

Condolences may be expressed at www.anderson-funeral-home.com.

Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.