Leonard Gray Baugher

Leonard Gray “Cliff” Baugher, 71, passed away suddenly at 5:55 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at Goshen IU Hospital, Goshen, IN where he had been admitted a few hours earlier.  He was born on December 17, 1943 in Warsaw, the son of Arthur Herman and Eunice M. (Hatten) Baugher.

Leonard Gray earned the title of “Pistol Pete” at an early age as he developed a love for guns and hunting. Cliff loved to play basketball and attended Military School during some of his high school years in Georgia. He graduated from North Webster High School with the Class of 1962. He attended Indiana University studying psychology from 1962-1965. In 1965 he entered the United States Marines and served during the Vietnam War as a Corporal with aircraft avionics, including a 13 month tour in South Viet Nam and then he was honorably discharged in March of 1968. The United States Marines was always a huge part of his life until the day he passed away and only in the past few years did he begin to share War stories with his family members.

He attended International Business College in 1968-1969. He was a Certified Emergency Medical Technician, becoming an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician in 1992. From 1992 -1993 he attended Northwestern Michigan College Law Enforcement Training Program. He ended his life-long learning process by attending Michigan State Police Training program for Dispatchers and Telecommunicators in 1996. After his discharge from the military he became the owner/operator of Lakeland Sanitation Service in North Webster. From 1972-1976 he owned Lakeland Real Estate, North Webster. He then became the Assistant Humane Officer for Kosciusko County Humane Society, Warsaw. He then served as a Corrections Officer/Jailer for Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. From 1976-1992 he worked Multi-Township Emergency Medical Services as an EMT, shift commander and Co-Director. From 1988-1992 he was a 911 dispatcher for Warsaw Police Department. In 1992 he moved to Traverse City, MI and became a 911 Dispatcher for several years before retiring.

He married Susan Badger on February 18, 1966 in Federal Point, Florida. She passed away on May 31, 1983. His second marriage was to Esther S. Werstler on March 9, 1985 in Warsaw. She survives.

He was a member of the Methodist faith and had grown closer to God in the past few years.  He was an avid fisherman and loved anything to do with water. He loved to snowmobile and cherished the many days spent in northern Michigan playing in the snow. He took an active interest in ecology, conservation and preservation of wildlife and natural resources, serving as Past President of the Northern Michigan Wildlife Rescue.

Survivors include his loving wife of 30 years, Esther S. Baugher, North Webster; 4 children, Tracey Gray Baugher, St. Augustine, FL, Trisha Lynn (Mike) Hutchison, Elkhart, Nicholas Adam (Audrey) Werstler, Dryden, Ontario, Canada and Kate (Micheala Lyn) Blumberg, Greenville, MI; 11 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; sister, Frani (Dick) Wells, Pierceton; 1 nephew, Todd (Candy) Wells, North Webster and 1 great niece. He is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife Susan.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015 at Owen Family Funeral Home, North Webster. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial will follow at Mock Cemetery, North Webster with graveside military rites by North Webster American Legion Post #253. Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project. To sign the guest register book or to leave a condolence, please log onto www.demoneygrimes.com