ASHLAND, Ky. — Melvin A. Baer, 92, of Ashland, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, while in King’s Daughters Medical Center. He was born May 8, 1916, the son of the late Bert F. and Margaret Slone Baer. He was also preceded in death by two brothers, David and Curtis Baer; a sister, Margaret (Peggy) Steenbergen; a granddaughter, Robin Carol Baer Efta; stepchildren, Charles Oliver and Judy Oliver; and a great-grandson, Dale Edwin Jordan Jr.
He was a retired postal worker with the Ashland Post Office, served in the Army Air Corps as a private first class, was a Kentucky colonel and a longtime member of Grace Nazarene Church.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lucille; three brothers, Charles (Polly) Baer of Burlington, N.C., George (Mary Lou) Baer, of Burlington, and Leslie (Sue) Baer of Flatwoods; two sons, Larry Joe Baer of Greenup, Ky., and Tony (Carolyn) Baer of Ashland; two daughters, Sharon (Ed) Castledine of Nampa, Idaho, and Elizabeth (Jerry) Hall of Ashland; two stepchildren, Betty (Ray) Lippert of Vanceburg, Ky., and Robert Oliver of Portsmouth; 21 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; special friends, Jim Hogsten and Screech Nelson; and a special cousin, Carl W. Jackson.
Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Steen Funeral Home, Central Avenue Chapel. Burial will follow in Woodland Cemetery, Ironton. Friends may call from 6 – 9 p.m. today and an hour before the service. Military rites will be performed by the American Legion Kenova Post 93.
Pallbearers are Larry Joe Baer II, Michael Baer, Justin Woods, Darren Oliver, Eric Oliver, Chuck Medina and Drew Oliver. Honorary pallbearers are Howard Hanks, Greg Stevens, Rob Francis, Rick Porter and Tim Roberts.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Grace Nazarene Church, 2413 S. 29th St., Ashland, Ky. 41101. Online condolences may be made to www.steenfuneralhomes.com.