Robert W Baum

On Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014, Robert (Bob) W. Baum heard the call of his Lord and
Savior to come home.
He was born August 21,1926 in Ashland, Ohio to Walter and Olive (Hites) Baum and on
June 25,1966 married Beryl Jean Hines.
Bob graduated from Ashland High School in 1944. He lived in Ashland and Vermillion
until he met his sweetheart Beryl and they bought a home in Ashland County near West
Salem.
He served his country with 826th AMPH Tractor BN during World War II in the Asiatic-
Pacific in Philippines and Okinawa. He was a member of West Salem United Methodist
Church.
In 1979 when his wife Beryl accepted the call into the ministry he was behind her all the
way. Bob supported her through undergrad and Seminary, even through moving five
different times in his wife's ministry leaving his beloved home in West Salem; a home they
moved back to in June 2004.
Bob began working in the grocery business while still in high school at a small store in
Ashland,OH. After returning from his tour of duty, he and friend Ikey opened up a store
in Vermillion, OH. Also during that time he worked at Wakefield Light Co. as a set-up
man and trouble shooter for the company. In the early sixties they sold the store in
Vermillion and he started working for his brother Dick Baum at Wonderland of Foods in
West Salem.
Bob loved working at the store in West Salem meeting and greeting the people of West
Salem. He always enjoyed working in the public, sharing stories of things that happened in
the lives of families who came into the store. His special joy was seeing the children of the
community and helping them pick out their favorite candy. He missed those moments, but
after following his wife in the ministry, he soon discovered he met many new people lie
learned to love in those churches and communities.
Bob will be lovingly remembered by his sweetheart Beryl and his two children, son Robert
(Rob) C. Baum and B. Renea (Tim) LeMaster, two grandsons Steve and Nate and some day
grand-daughters Lucy and Stacy. In addition to his children and grandchildren Bob is
survived by two brothers Joseph (Ruth) Baum of Apple Valley, Paul R, (Vera) Baum of
Ashland and brother-in-law Charles Slany I of Parma, numerous nieces, nephews,
grandnieces and grandnephews.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents Walter & Olive Baum, one brother Kenneth
Baum of Arizona and sister Dorothy Slany (Chuck) of Parma.
The family will greet friends from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at Matteson's
Funeral Home in West Salem. Funeral services to celebrate Robert's life will be held
Thursday, April 24, 2014,11:00 am at West Salem United Methodist Church with Pastor
Floyd Costello officiating. Family will also greet friends one hour prior to the service at the
church. Burial will be in Hazzard Cemetery where military rights will be conducted by
James Stevenson American Legion Post 499.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to West Salem
United Methodist Church, 80 East Buckeye St. West Salem, OH 44287; or Hospice of
North Central, Ohio, 1050 Dauch Dr, Ashland, OH 44805. Condolences may be shared at the funeral home website@ www.mattesonfh.com

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