Gary Baron

Danville- Gary Lee "Pier-Pier" Baron, 60, of Danville passed away at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born on September 14, 1951 in Danville IL to Clayton A. and Mayme Lee Fermon Baron. He married Crystal Scott Fields on August 21, 1977. They divorced in 1986 and Gary later married Judy Kingen. They divorced in 2004. Surviving is a daughter, Sarah (Joey) McQueen of Danville; three brothers, Richard (Jeannie) Baron of Bradley, IL, Robert (Betty) Baron of Kankakee, and John (Arnie) Baron of Sedalia, MO; a sister, Shirley (Jack) Osborne; a special aunt, Blanche Marie Berry; several nieces and nephews; and five grandsons, Kyler Modglin, Tevin McQueen, Kaleb Jacobsen, Carter McQueen, and Bentley McQueen. He was preceded in death by his parents, a nephew Randy Baron, and an Aunt Gladys and Uncle Joseph Clutter of Homer, IL. Gary was a 1969 graduate of Danville High School and went on to Danville Junior College to receive his Associates Degree. He proceeded to earn his Bachelor's Degree in Arts/History from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Over the years, Gary also developed his skills through extensive continuing education, including time spent in Commercial and Consumer Lending School, Bankers School, and leader effectiveness training, and received accreditation through the BAI School in Banking Management and the ABA National Consumer Credit School. Gary was Vice President at the First Savings Bank in Danville and past VP at the First Ridge Farm State Bank and Palmer American National Bank, where he had been placed in charge of several key programs. He had been a past member of the Moose Lodge and the NRA and enjoyed playing cards, classic cars, watching the Bears and the Cubs, and had previously been involved in candle making. Gary liked cooking and his favorite thing was Italian food. He also liked to sit in his easy chair and watch war movies, go golfing, tend to his much loved plants, and loved listening to music. Most of all Gary loved to spend time with his grandchildren, his daughter Sarah, and his special friend and son-in-law, Joey. Visitation for Gary Baron will be from 5-8 PM on Friday, July 20, 2012 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home in Danville. A service to celebrate the life of Gary Baron will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 21, 2012 also at Sunset in Danville. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services. Please join Gary's family in sharing memories, photos, and video of his life through his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.