James Baxter

James Baxter, 78, of Freeport, died Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at the Polo Rehabilitation Center. James was born on November 5, 1933 in DeKalb, IL the son of Charles and Gladys (McQueen) Baxter. On January 25, 1955 James married Margaret H. Woodward in Freeport. Margaret passed away on August 2, 2007. James was a U.S. Army Veteran serving from 1955-1957. He was raised in the United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Eagles Club and the Lena Lions Club and the N.R.A. James was a truck driver For Beloit Pipeline before retiring in 1999. Then he drove the courtesy van for the Bocker Auto Group. He was an avid Chicago White Sox fan. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors include his daughters; Kathryn (Rev. Brian) LeBaron of Lena and Patricia (Ralph) Smith of Gastonia, North Carolina, sons; Charles Baxter of Shannon, IL and Wade (Michele) Baxter of Palmer Lake, Colorado, sister; Jane Adams of Gilroy, California, six grandchildren; Karla Sjoberg (Todd) Broege of Durand, Amanda Sjoberg(Brad) Albaugh of Monroe, WI, Emily Ann (Josh Ryan) Evans of Madison WI, Michelle Laxton of Norfolk, VA, Nicole (Eric) Wamsley of Gastonia N.C. and Tamara (Kevin) Messer also of Gastonia, N.C. Also surviving are 6 step grandchildren; Melissa, Scott, Bradley and Kevin LeBaron and Mackenise and Ryan Hunt, and 12 great-grandchildren. James was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother; Florie Baxter and two son-in-laws; Bruce Evans and Jerry Sjoberg. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday March 5, 2012 at Burke Tubbs Funeral Home in Freeport with Rev. Brian LeBaron officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service Monday at Burke Tubbs. Burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. A memorial has been established in James memory. Please sign the guestbook at www.burketubbs.com