Stephen E. Baldwin, age 62, died on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. His love of life, and his six-year battle with colon cancer, were an inspiration to all who knew him. Steve died peacefully at home, cared for and surrounded by his dearest loved ones.
Steve was born on July 14, 1952, to Clifford and Edith (Nelson) Baldwin of Hoopeston, Illinois. He was a proud graduate of Hoopeston High School, and a first-generation college graduate, earning his bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University in 1974. Steve learned and embodied the value of hard work from an early age. He worked summers in both high school and college for his father at Baldwin Standard gas station in Hoopeston. After college, he began working in the cornfields and canning factory for the Joan of Arc Company in Hoopeston, and later became a Corporate Purchasing Manger for Joan of Arc in Peoria, Illinois. His hard work led him and his family to Beaver Dam, WI, where he was Regional Plant Manager with Pillsbury/Green Giant. In 1995, Steve co-founded WMFB, Inc., a manufacturing and freezing business, with longtime friend and business partner Roger Dusso.
Steve enjoyed coaching youth baseball for the Beaver Dam Youth Sports Club and the Junior Legion team, which he coached to a state championship in 2009. Softball, fishing, bowling, and poker were among his other favorite pastimes. While life in Wisconsin eventually converted him from a Cubs to Brewers fan, he remained a diehard Chicago Bears fan to the end.
Steve is survived by his mother, Edith Baldwin; brother, Bruce Baldwin; wife of nearly thirty years and mother of his children, Susan (Hollen) Baldwin; son, Eric (Mary) Baldwin; daughter Sheri (Matt) Barrette; four beloved grandchildren: John, Leo, Adam, and Geneva Barrette; and very special friend, Marilyn Schick. Steve was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Baldwin.
A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd., Beaver Dam from 2-6 PM, with a short service to be held at 5 PM.
Memorial donations are requested in lieu of flowers, and can be made to the Jimmy V Foundation (www.jimmyv.org). Jimmy V invests 100% of its donations into cancer research and related programs.
Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family. You may send private online condolences or sign the family’s guest book at www.cstonefs.com
