Steven Baer Obituary

Al and I think of you often. We talk about our trip to Wisconsin. We stopped at a restaurant and while Al was in the restroom you ordered him something big. Something that you knew the restaurant had. We talk about the many corn beef and cabbage dinners. One evening Al, myself and Allan came over and we video taped for, I believe, the Amazing Race??? You are very missed and we love you.......

Steve we miss you. We had so much fun when we got together with you and Beryl. We miss coming over for St. Patty's Day dinner, you made the best drinks. Our trip up to Wisconsin, we just had so much fun with you. RIP

Memories of Steve:

Steve and I continued our friendship even after I moved from Illinois. He always made time for me through email and even at Christmas time in 2007. He and Beryl met me for lunch when I visited the City of Chicago. That was a great day.

Fond memories of Steve? There are so many, but I'll name just a few. His gigantic laugh - it filled not only the whole room, but the whole building. Steve could turn anything into a joke or a laughable moment. Steve's eyes always sparkled. And he always had a mischievous look on his face. I always wondered what he was concocting in his head. Later, I would find out through a joke, a funny fax or email.

Another great memory of mine is the Safety dinner he did the music for (I believe 2002). At the time, I had no clue he was a DJ, let alone could dance! Who would have thought, this big giant man could be so light on his feet! I know my mouth was on the floor every time I saw him move. My favorite memory from the one dinner is when he did the YMCA with a group of guys. Oh my goodness, that was hysterical! Steve could have done ballet and gotten away with it! He was just that good.

Steve liked to make light of me always getting lost in the suburbs of Chicago. He also liked to make fun of the name of my favorite music group - Jars of Clay and called it "Jaws of Clay." He put these two together once in a fax. It was laying on my desk one day after coming back from a meeting that I got terribly lost going to. I ended up in the south side of Chicago, calling Steve from a payphone, desperately needing directions back to I believe, Northbrook. He said "Didn't the buildings give you a hint?" The fax had a blown up picture of my driver's license and had the title: MISSING PERSON'S REPORT. Gets lost every time she drives in or around the City of Chicago and is most likely listening to the band "Jaws of Clay. If you see her, please direct her away from the tall buildings."
The fax was a full page story of me and who I was, spelled out in a funny way, that could have only been written by Steve. He could barely contain himself when I called him.

Steve always had time for YOU, even if he was really busy, which he always was. I didn't talk to Steve enough. I didn't work with Steve long enough. I didn't know Steve long enough. He was just one of those people - beautiful and you are lucky if you knew him. Our last work memory together was sharing a shake from a hamburger joint at his desk - on my last day. I left missing him that day and I write this missing him. Thank you, Steve, for being there for me in the few very short years I knew you. I will always carry you with me in my heart, right next to my father. I love you. Your good friend, Judith."

Judith Gilliam

Steve is an awesome person through and through. I didn't know him as long as I would have liked too. But I was able to have a lot of great memories with him. He gave the BEST BAER HUGS!! His hugs reminded me of my daddys and that always gave me some comfort :) He was always smiling and positive, despite what he was going through. Definitely one of the strongest people I know. He was able to laugh, even though he was in so much pain. Its very aggrevating when people like Steve end up leaving us the soonest. But we will see him again someday. He has impacted so many lives :)Derek is so blessed that he was able to see so much of Uncle Steve these past few years. We miss you Steve! We love you so much! Its nice knowing that you are watching over the Family :) XOXOXOXO

To Steve's family,
I condole with you. I only know Steve from the bus company. His legacy there is great. Steve ran a department responsible for training and evaluating hundreds of schoolbus drivers, taking thousands of children to school every day.
God Bless him.

Beryl, Steve was a great co-worker and frined who always put a smile on every heart that he touched. We at First Student the Westmont Branch send our prayers to you and your family.

Steve was a very good man. I admired his patience, his sense of humor, and the way he always treated everyone with respect. I will surely miss him. Robert Glowacz (Arlington Heights)

Steve was a friend to all. Careing and understnding, always willing to help who ever and where ever he could.
He will be missed. May he rest easy now in God's arms.
Barbara

Beryl, I've never met a kinder more gentle man than your husband. He was always smiling and was a true friend. I feel honored to have worked with him.

Beryl, it was you who brought Steve into our family, but it was Steve himself who made us love him. He loved you more than life itself and for that alone we would have welcomed him into our family and embraced him with open arms. Steve was a generous, caring and loving man who would have given his world to you. We loved Steve as a brother and as a friend. Thank you for sharing him with us. He gave us so much more than words can express. Heavan holds a special place for men like Steve, and I am proud to say he was truly part of our family. All my love always, your sister Ethel

We are the lucky ones to be able to honorably call him Uncle Steve. Thank you for the wonderful memories and laughs. We will miss you

Steve was a wonderful caring person and I will miss him very much. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife and family.

What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness,a longing for one more day, one more golf outing,one more game of pinocle, one more word and one more touch. We may not understand why you left this earth so soon,or why you left before we were ready to say good bye,but liitle by little, we will begin to remember not just that you died, but that you " LIVED ", and that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget,and we will cherish the memories of the times we spent together.
Although its difficult today,looking back on memories will comfort us tomorrow. May you rest in peace. All our love,
Shelly & Clem

Dear Beryl,
Sorry to hear about Steve. He lived his life to the fullest and always made us laugh. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Susan Fox

Beryl, Steve was a good man who cared deeply for the children that road on the the bus at First Student. I had the pleasure of working with him for the last 6 years,he was my contact man, for Alexian Brothers and also at Holy Family. I will miss his laughter and his stories. I am so glad that you both were able to go on your last trip. He had said how much you both were looking forward to it. He will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Uncle Steve was a great guy. Although we lived a thousand miles away I was able to see him often, whether in Chicago or Florida and he was always fun to be around. He has left us too soon but we'll see him again. I know that he'll always be there with me when I'm golfing. You will be sorely missed but never forgotten. I will see you when I get there Uncle Steve. Peace.

Beryl ... My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2010

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2010

I have lost two Steve's in my life, my brother and now my very dear friend. Steve will be missed by so many people. He touched so many lives. We all learned a valuble lesson from him, do not give up, live your life to the fullest and he did. He DJ'd for us a couple of times in our back yard, everyone had a blast. Such wonderful memories. I would never think of taking my husband grocery shopping, but Steve and Beryl did everything together even grocery shopping. I still an finding it hard to fathum that he is not here. Steve, Beryl will be looked after by so many people, you had so many friends. We will help to watch over her. Love you forever, Debbie and Al

On behalf of all of Steven's WHS classmates and friends, I want to offer our collective condolences and sympathies to Beryl, and all of Steve's family and extended family of friends! Rest in Peace Steven.

Beryl,
Steve was so many things to so many people. He was dedicated to his job and took the safety of children very seriously but always was able to teach in such a way that everyone enjoyed the learning. We know he was devoted to you and like us, you did everything together so your loss will be felt in the little everyday things you did but you should take heart in knowing that he will be with all of us in our hearts and memories; there weren't any bad ones to remember. He was our friend and we will miss him.
John & Sheila Buxton

Aunt Beryl - thank you so much for bringing Uncle Steve into our lives. He truly was an amazing, caring, loving and giving man and I am honored to have been given the chance to call him my Uncle. He will truly be missed and remebered with only the finest of memories. We love you both so very much.

I feel very blessed to have had such a wonderful man in my life. I have so many GREAT memories, and I will never forget the awesome job he did as DJ for my wedding. People still talk about the "Blues Brother skit". Uncle Steve you will be missed so very much, I love you!!

Beryl,
I am so sorry to hear about Steve, my thoughts and prayers are with you

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Uncle Steve, from the first time that I met you even before Brian and I started dating back in 2002, when you Beryl, Clem and Roachelle visited Brian at Shenanigan's, I knew what a generous person you were. Over the past 17 years I have gotten to know that you are more than generous but you were fun, loving and caring and couldn't have asked for anything more from an Uncle/friend. You will forever be in my hart and in my memory forever.

Love,
Paula

I have lost two Steve's in my life. Both were devoted to their family. They both adored their wife and were adored by their wife. Steve and Beryl did everything together. I would never think to go grocery shopping with my husband, but this is something they always did together. Steve would do anything for Beryl. She loves Bingo, so Steve would always take her on trips just for Bingo. He had a big heart and everyone that knew Steve will feel his loss, even those who did not know him, I am talking about all of those children who ride the school buses. Steve your loss is so hard for Al and myself. We will, along with many others, be there to take care of Beryl for you. Don't you worry. Love Debbie and Al

Dear Beryl,
So sorry to hear of your loss.
Will always remember Steve as the fun loving and caring person to have worked with.
Judy Hoppe