Carl 'Buddy' Baron

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Carl "Buddy" Baron, 90, died peacefully at his Ironwood home, surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, April 30, 2016.

Carl was born Aug. 2, 1925, to Emil and Esther Baron, of Montreal, Wis., and graduated from high school in Hurley, Wis. He was baptized, confirmed and a member of Salem Lutheran Church in Ironwood. Entering the U.S. Navy, Carl served on submarine duty in the Pacific during World War II. After completing his service, he returned to Ironwood and on Aug. 23, 1947, married Polly Ann Holemo, of Ironwood, who survives.

He is also survived by his two daughters, Janis Baron, Littleton, Colo., and Rebecca Baron, Appleton, Wis .; grandchildren, Adam Williams, Denver, Colo., Hannah Bennett, Philadelphia, Aaron Williams, Lakewood, Colo., and Henry Meyer and Carson Meyer, both of Appleton; great-granddaughter, Beatrix Williams, Lakewood; brother, Lee Baron, and sister, Betty Oberlander, both of Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Tommy, Robert "Bobby," and James "Slugger" Baron.

After discharge from the Navy, Carl returned to work at the Montreal Mine. When the mine closed, he began a career in mining equipment with the Gardner-Denver Co., and moved to Colorado, subsequently becoming a federal mine inspector for the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

In retirement, he moved to Appleton in 1993 and then home to Ironwood in 2003. While in Appleton, he was employed by J.C. Taylor & Company, Organ Builders, as a pipe organ builder shop man, working primarily in wood organ pipe restoration, casework finishing, and pipe organ dis-assembly and re-installation.

Athletic in his youth as a baseball and hockey player, Carl retained a lifelong sports interest. As Denver Bronco season ticket holders for many years, he and Polly rarely missed a game, no matter what the weather.

Carl had a great love for the natural landscape, being an avid rock/mineral collector and a well-practiced camper and fisherman - knowing (as he would tell you) every great fishing hole from Colorado and Montana through the U.P. and the Potato River in Wisconsin. Carl also found great pleasure in working with tools, exhibiting early on in life a craftsman's sense of order, linked with an innate fix-up talent and, as a young man, laid floor tile for Ralph Capone at the Capone House in Mercer, Wis.

Out of respect for Carl's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Salem Lutheran Church, 333 E. Aurora St., Ironwood, MI 49938.

Arrangements were entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be given to the family of Carl "Buddy" Baron online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to thank Steven (Jennifer) Smith, nephew, Kimball, Wis., and nieces, Maureen (Michael) Matusewic, Hurley, and Roberta Holm, Ironwood, for their kindness and valuable caretaking assistance.