Obituary of Fern Baxter

Fern Baxter, 91, of Marion St. Niles, passed away June 13, 2007 at Lakeland Hospital in Niles, MI. Fern was born June 10, 1916 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the late Raymond and Hazel (Leeper) Reist. She married the late Clifford Baxter on December 14, 1934 in South Bend, Indiana. Fern enjoyed nature and all the outdoors had to offer, especially fresh flowers, she loved to go camping at Pitcher Lake in Dowagiac. She also enjoyed many different sports such as racing and golf. Fern was an avid Bears fan and a devoted Notre Dame fan. Spending time with her family was her greatest passion and loved playing bingo with them. Preceding Fern were her parents, husband, her two daughters Nancy Yahney, Donna Morse, a sister Josephine Simpson and her brother Dale Reist. Surviving Fern are her four daughters; Wanita Singleton of Niles, Carolyn (James) Schneider of Coldwater, Sandra (Jerry ) Craig of Union, and Pamela (Mike) Payne of Niles, and five sons; Donald (Mildred)Baxter of Vandalia, Ronald (Janet) Baxter of Niles, Richard (Patricia) Baxter of Niles, and Terry Baxter of Niles and also James (Mary) Baxter of Homer, MI. Two brothers; Alfred Reist of Cassopolis and Richard Reist of Niles, four sisters; Ardith McAdams of Arkansas, Joyce (David) Beetle of Niles, SueAnne McAdams of Niles, 45 grandchildren 93 great-grandchildren, and 31 great-great grandchildren.