Don Hunter Baldwin

Don Hunter Baldwin left this world after a short illness on June 30, 2024. He was born in Olney, Illinois to John Emery Baldwin II and Hilma (Baker) Baldwin on August 03, 1934, and grew up in Bridgeport, Illinois.

Don was proud of his experience of attending Culver Military Academy, where he excelled in football and basketball and still holds a record for pole-vault. He cherished the many lifelong friendships that developed as a result of his years there. He then attended Southern Methodist University and pledged Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, opening a new social world to him. Majoring in geology, Don went on to complete his degree at Kansas University, cultivating more lasting friendships with his brothers there.

After graduation, Don entered the U.S. Army and was later attached to the U.S. Air Force as a courier. He always enjoyed reflecting on the memories of the worldwide travel that afforded him.

Upon leaving the military, he returned home and began his life’s work in the family business as a hardworking independent oil producer/operator with properties in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Don was a bighearted pied piper to both children and animals. He was ever present as a father and did his parenting with his own special flare. Some still fondly remember when he coached his son’s basketball team and traveled to games in his big black limousine with the team. And, he was the kind of animal-lover who one would wish to come back as one of his pets.

Over the years, he enjoyed snow skiing, scuba diving, and playing golf. After retirement, he and his wife, Meredith, relished their time traveling to visit extended family and a wealth of friends while seeing the country in their RV.

Preceding him in death include his parents, John and Hilma Baldwin and sister, Patricia Sue (Baldwin) Bowman,

He will be missed by his favorite wife, Meredith (Hubbell) Baldwin; children, Tamara (Baldwin) Gher and husband, Bob of Lawrenceville, Illinois, John Emery Baldwin III (Jeb) of Flat Rock, Illinois, Greg Hunter Baldwin of Billett, Illinois, Keith Gamble of Oblong, Illinois, and Melissa (Gamble) Levy of London, England; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; as well as loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.

It's hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember.

A private family service will be conducted.

Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Lawrence County Humane Society.

Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois is in charge of the arrangements.

Lawrence County Illinois Humane Society
PO Box 415, Lawrenceville IL 62439