Charles "Frank" Baxter

Truly one of a kind and THE life of the party. If you had met Frank Baxter, you were guaranteed to leave with a smile and a story to tell! Charles Franklin "Frank" Baxter was born on April 29th, 1932. The second child of Kenneth David and Zelda Baxter, he was affectionately known as 'Sank' growing up and enjoyed a simple, rural boyhood in Carthage, Illinois. From the start he was well known for his quick wit and loving, jovial, ornery nature that he would carry throughout his lifetime. Frank attended Carthage High School and was proud to be a "Blue Boy"! He was avid in many activities during his school years; the Cub Scouts, golf, school plays and playing the lead snare drum in the band; but the 'key' to his High School career was basketball and football. Frank was a 4-time Illinois State Champion, twice in both sports with high accolades on his athleticism as the Quarter Back and as a Forward. It was said that you never knew what the "Baxter Boys" were going to do out on the field, as Frank played 3 seasons with his older brother Darrell. Then came 1948, the perfect football season, undefeated and unscored upon all the way through the State Championship! Upon graduation Frank attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois graduating college with a degree in Architecture all while maintaining his drumming through the drum and bugle corps. Just days after returning home from college Frank was drafted into the Korean War, serving in the Army as a Sergeant in the 44th Engineering Battalion. Frank was in many battles, enjoyed his R&R, celebrated his 21st birthday in the then developing "city" of Incheon with quite the wild story to tell, and worked on countless projects to rebuild Korea as well as advance forces to destroy it. When President Eisenhower visited Korea the troop line was thin from war and an Army band member recalled Frank's drumming talents from nights out while on R&R. Frank was pulled from the front line and sent South for 1 week of "Heaven", as he described it, playing in the marching band for the President's welcome ceremonies. Frank returned home to Carthage in the later part of 1954 and after some traveling, he began working for his father, K.D., at his construction business. Then in 1955 while at a Friday night dance in Fort Madison, Iowa at the K of C's he met Mary Ann Borgman; a "tall, long-legged corn-fed Iowa gal and she nailed me higher than a kite" as he always described it was love! Frank and Mary Ann were married in the fall that same year and lived in Carthage, Illinois, adding 3 children to their family; Tony, Michael and Mary. A devoted and giving father, Frank cherished his family and was always a father first. When he wasn't working, he could be found supporting them in quite literally whatever it was they were doing; sports, school, camping, traveling, business and even mischief you name it and he was there. Through the good times and bad he was the family's optimistic 'rock' they could always lean on. Frank worked for his father at K.D. Baxter Construction all around West-Central Illinois where work was 100% self-performed and mainly residential. In 1966 Frank moved his family to Iowa and began working for Ed Klesner Construction. Frank's devotion to work and family was apparent as Frank would work for Ed Klesner during the day and do side work at night, building a reputation for doing quality work. Later Frank began his own business 'Frank Baxter General Contractor'. Working in residential and light commercial work. With his background in Architecture Frank drew all of his own blueprints by hand and was known in the area for his quality in craftsmanship and trustworthy handshake to guarantee his work. A man of faith, he described some of his favorite projects as being the Church Remodels noting that working on 'God's House' was about as big and important as a person could ever hope to do. Frank designed a unique scaffolding system designed to remodel the entire St. Mary's Church in Fort Madison while still allowing full mass to continue on below, unbothered, with the altar seen and open. He was also very proud of the McAleer Hall that he and longtime friend 'Father Mac' designed and completed together. Frank left his mark on countless construction projects throughout the entire Tri-State area. As the years passed the company grew and Frank's son Tony Baxter officially took over the business around 1998 along with the name change we know today; Baxter Construction Company and he was proud to see the 4th generation, Michael Baxter, in the family business that keeps on growing Frank's legacy. Frank's biggest legacy is and always will be his family, friends and his proverbial joy for life. He truly defined the meaning of "living life to the fullest" and loved and laughed every minute of it. His pride in all of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and in his community will remain unmatched. Throughout his life Frank immensely enjoyed golfing, Marlboro cigarettes, countless hours fishing, driving around town visiting people, winters in Florida with his wife and friends, traveling with his family, and spending time with his 5 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His life was blessed beyond measure through the opportunities he provided and by his constant example of not just living but living well. Frank never met a stranger, a man of integrity, grit, a contagious zest for life, a million friends and a life he himself was incredibly proud of. His life will live on in those that he raised, those he met, the good times we all cheers to and through the joy that we put back into the world because he was in ours. Lovingly left on Earth; Son, Tony (Cindy) Baxter of Fort Madison, Iowa, Daughter, Mary (Steve Hansen) Scott of Fort Madison, Iowa. 5 Grandchildren: Tia (Casey) Yager, Marissa (Jason) Huffman, Michael Baxter, Angela Scott, Kayla (Cory) Christensen. 10 Great Grandchildren: Xavion, Charley, Liam, Ben, Rhett, Sophia, Xionna, Capp, Adah, and soon to be baby Christensen. Sister, Janice Fair Lindenhurst, Chicago Illinois. Several nieces and nephews. Lovingly joined in Heaven; Beautiful wife, Mary Ann. His parents, K.D. & Zelda. 2 sons, James Patrick & Michael David, 1 great-granddaughter, Ximara, 1 brother, 1 sister, many sister & brother in laws, friends and his canine companions. A visitation will be held on Sunday, August 3, 2025 from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory in Fort Madison. The funeral mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 4, 2025 at Sacred Heart Church in Fort Madison with Revs. Robert McAleer & Gary Beckman officiating. Burial with military rites will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Following the mass and burial, a dinner honoring Frank's memory will be held at McAleer Hall in Fort Madison. A memorial has been established for the Baxter Sports Complex. Online condolences to the Baxter family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Charles "Frank", please visit our Tree Store.