Fredrick Joseph “Fred” Baxter, 96, of the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy formerly of Nauvoo, passed away at 4:40 a.m. Saturday at the Veterans Home.
Born on December 1, 1926, in Nauvoo, Illinois, the son of Fred and Dorothy (Kelly) Baxter. On October 20, 1956, at Saint John’s Catholic Church in Houghton, Iowa, he married Carmelita Witting. She preceded in him death on December 23, 2009.
He is survived by his one son: Callen “Butch” (Elaine) Baxter of Fort Madison; grandchildren: Amanda Baxter, Kent Simmons, Kiryn Evans and Kane Simmons; several great grandchildren and sister in-law: Sylvia Witting of West Point.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Carmelita; daughter: Kathy; sisters: Betty Kaiser, Mary Logan and Annette Schmidt.
Fred graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School and the University of Illinois with a degree in horticulture and entomology. He was a United States Army veteran serving in the Korean War. Fred was a member of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Alleman Council Knights of Columbus and was the secretary of the Nauvoo Grape Festival. He received the 94% Apple Clear Club award in the State of Illinois. He managed Gem City Vineland and retired from Selfridge National Airforce Base in Michigan. He was a bartender on the Addie Mae and at Icarian Restaurant. He helped Eldon and Gerry Walker and Max and Bill Radel on the farm. Following his retirement he helped at Baxters Vineyards and was a bartender and meat cutter at the Hotel Nauvoo.
His body was donated to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 1, 2023, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Nauvoo, Illinois with Father Tony Trosley as celebrant.
A memorial has been established in his memory.
Schmitz-Banks & Beals Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. On-line condolences to the family may be left at www.sbbfuneralhome.com.
