~~My maternal Grandfather~~

Walter Baehler was the son of Alfred & Elizabeth (Haenni) Baehler, who were both born in Switzerland. He is my Mom's beloved father. A life-long farmer in Livingston County, Illinois, he lived in rural Saunemin, Illinois.

Grandpa's first wife, Nellie, died in childbirth in 1927. Their baby daughter died as well. Mother and daughter were buried together, with the baby cradled in her mother's arms.

My grandfather remarried a few years later. This marriage added step-children to the family, and he and his wife had 3 more children together. All together, Grandpa was a father, or stepfather to 10 children.

Sadly, he was killed in a car accident in Florida where he and his second wife spent winters. He was on his way to watch baseball spring training. His favorite team was the Chicago White Sox. He died just outside the baseball stadium in a collision with an armored truck. He drove a new 1962 Dodge.

Article from Florida newspaper: "A 74 year old man, tossed from his car and crushed beneath it, became Broward County's 9th traffic fatality after a collision with an armored truck near Lauderdale Yankee Stadium Friday. The victim was Walter Baehler of 4520 W. Broward, who moved here last month from Illinois. The accident happened at NW 15th Ave. and 50th St. The intersection is a short distance southwest of the Stadium where the Yankees were practicing Friday."

He was still very active in farming, helped by his son, our Uncle Gerald. He was well-known and respected in our county, where he had lived for over 65 years. A lifetime member of the Methodist Church, never missed a Sunday. I can picture him in church, where we would run up to him, and give him hugs.

The very last time I saw him alive, he was standing in our front yard in January 1962. He had come to tell my mother and all of us good-bye before leaving for Florida. I see him yet, getting into his new car and driving away, waving at us. I was very young but I remember this quite well.

Right before he died, he and his wife had just bought the house in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, pictured on this page. I speculate they would have eventually retired here, after he was ready to give up farming.

Grandpa's funeral was the first one I had ever been to in my life. I was horrified that my grandfather was gone, and seeing how terribly upset my Mom was. It left a huge, dark memory for a little girl.

My grandfather has 2 surviving daughters, Donna and Carol, both of Illinois. They are the last of his children, and both were born to him and his second wife Lavaun.

Rest in peace, Grandpa, you are loved.