Benjamin Douglas Baith
Benjamin Douglas Baith, age 64, of Mansfield, died Monday, February 9, 2015 at Ohio Health Med Central Mansfield Hospital.
He was born June 11, 1950 in Shelby, the son of Benjamin R. and Norma Jean (Wadley) Baith. He was a 1968 graduate of Crestview High School and attended ATI in Wooster.
Ben served in the Army in Vietnam where he was awarded two Purple Hearts. He was very active in counseling other Vietnam Veterans through Point Man International Ministries. Sharing his military experiences with younger children was important to Ben and he spoke to many elementary school classes.
He was the owner of Seasons Greens Landscaping in Mansfield. He was a member of Crossroads Community Church in Mansfield and had previously attended the First Church of God on Park Avenue West. As a young man, he was an avid arrow head hunter.
Because of his laugh and jolly personality and his snow white beard, he was a natural Santa Claus – a role he played for many years at the Richland Mall, Dunkin Jewelers, Shelby Hospital and numerous private parties. Ben enjoyed helping others – many of whom he did not know – as he distributed quilts from Midland Quilt Makers to orphanages in Cambodia, Philippines, Tibet, Dialysis Centers in Mansfield, and the nursery at Ohio Health Med Central Shelby Hospital.
Ben is survived by his wife, Muriel A. (Aurand) Baith, whom he wed on September 2, 1972; Their children: Alyssa (Leigh) Squier of PA, Benjamin Robert (Jennifer) Baith of Shiloh, Julie (Chuck) Holloway of Mansfield; 20 Grandchildren: Heather, Devin, Tyler, and Ryan Holloway; Krista, Hunter, Titus, Levi, Abigail, Gloria Squier; Bailey, Avery, Jacqueline, Sage, Mason, Hayden, Gabriel, Grayson, Braiden, Micah Baith and one to be born in February; A brother: Michael (Bobbie) Baith of Columbus; 2 sisters: Brenda (Bruce) Adams of Akron and Sheila (Robin) Riggs of West Liberty; Father and step mother: Benjamin (Barbara) Baith of Florida; mother-in-law: Muriel Aurand of Shelby. He was preceded in death by his mother and his father-in-law: R. Gault Aurand.
Friends and family are welcome on Friday, February 13, 2015 from 5-8 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where funeral services will be conducted on Saturday at 10:30 AM by Paul Donihue. Entombment will follow at Ashland County Memorial Park. Military honors will be conducted by Ashland Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial expressions may be made to Crossroads Community Church, Wounded Warriors Project, or Midland Quilt Makers. To leave a message of sympathy or to share a memory with the Baith family, please visit:
Duane and I are so sorry to hear of Ben’s passing. Our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow.
Duane and Lisa Roberts
I am so very sorry for your loss. My prayers are with the entire family.
We’ve been friends of the Baith family for many years. Sorry about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Muriel and Family, So very sorry for your loss. Loved Ben.
Ben, and family You are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this difficult time. Your Schoolmates and Friends Weller-Union alumni
Lani and family,
We are so saddened to hear of Doug’s passing. You all were great neighbors and friends when we lived in Ohio and have fond memories of you. Know we are thinking of you all down here in NC and praying for you all.
Muriel and family
So sorry for your loss. Prayers are with you
LANI ,mom and I were shocked to see this . Our sincerest condolences to you and the family.
Prayers to you all
Much love and many prayers!
Our warrior will be missed.
Gary and Sue Hill
Robbie and Jenny and family sorry for your loss! Your dad was a true saint! Sincerely The Taggart family
So sorry to hear about Ben’s passing. My condolences to all of his family. I met him at Crossroad Church and he was the kindest abd jollliest person i ‘ve ever met. He could always make you smile. He will be greatly missed.
Muriel & family,
Sorry for your loss, but God’s gain. Ben is at peace, enjoying God’s beauty. Will keep you in our thoughts & prayers
Baith family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories of Doug and will never forget the many trips he took me on to hunt arrow heads. As a young teen, he gave me my first job mowing the lawn and babysitting the kids. I wish I could be there to celebrate his life with you this weekend. You will all be in my prayers.
God Bless,
John Meeting
Muriel and Family, So sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies many thoughts and PRAYERS during this difficult time. Hang on to all the great times and memories. GOD BLESS.
I am so sorry to hear of Ben’s passing. He was such a kind man that always greeted me with a hug. I live down the road from he and his wife and I will miss seeing him outside taking care of life. My thoughts and prayers are with you Muriel.
Dear Rob and all of the family,
We are so saddened by the news of the loss of your father. Please know that you, your mother, siblings and all the grandchildren are in our thoughts and prayers.
I am truly sorry for your loss. I had spoken to Doug at Aunt Bettys birthday party in August, 2014 been a long time since I saw him. We use to play together as kids. His Wadley( Girls) cousins are my cousins. I have a lot of fond memories of Doug and his siblings and Aunt Norma and Uncle Ben. Such a sweet and loving family. I am truly blessed to have had them all in my life. Prayers for all and may God embrace you during this time.
So sorry for you loss. Our family will be praying for your family in this difficult time. He was a great man and will benefit the kingdom of God well.
To the Baith Family, Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you in your loss.
Alyssa and family,
So sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
To the Baith Family,
You are in our prayers and thoughts. We love your great family. You all are an incredible testament to Doug’s legacy.
Lanie & Family – We are so very sorry for the loss of your husband, father, grandfather. I know this is a great loss to your family as well as his brother, sisters, his father and the entire family. May he be free of pain and suffering and be a guardian angel over his loved family. Deb Baker, Mona Thompson, David Lawhun and families – sisters and brother of Bobbie & Mike Baith.
Ben will be sorely missed. A kind hart and loving spirit, and a bright light for our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Sorry to hear about Doug’s passing. It’s never easy. My prayers are with you and your family.
To our dear Baith family…..Paul and I want to send our deepest sympathy to each one of the family…..Our hearts ache for each one of you. May God put his dear arms around you with his comfort peace and love. Our love and prayers are and will be with you.
To our dear Baith family….we send you our deepest sympathy….Remember the days when our children were your age in First Church of God….May God put His precious arm’s around you and give Dad, Ben….siblings… and wife and children peace, comfort, and love in the coming days ahead. Our Love and Prayers Paul and Peg Ludwig
Lani & Family-So sorry to hear about Doug. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love and God bless.
Please accept my condolence on Ben’s passing! I meet him at crossroads, through my daughter and son in law Rachael and John Henry. I will remember his contagious smile and jolly nature.
Sorry to hear about your family’s loss.
Muriel and family , You are in our prayers. Doug was a great man, . Remember all the good times you shared.
My sincerest thanks to all of those who braved the weather and came out to support Mom & our family, and to say “goodbye for now” to Dad. My Uncle said that you can tell by the tone of the calling hours and funeral whether a person knew Jesus. I know that to be true for Dad… that he is with his Lord and maker.
I, especially, want to thank:
All of you who have gone out-of-your-way to provide encouragement, food, shelter, and your memories with us; these are treasured greatly.
My thanks to you, Rachel, for your thoughts and prayers. You have been such a treasured friend.
John, Thank you for reminding me that Dad took you out arrowhead hunting with him and for being a good neighbor for many childhood years. It was a pleasure to greet your Mom, Dad, and brothers after so many years.
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Doug. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our good neighbor, Mr. Baith. I don’t remember passing by their house without seeing him outside to offer a friendly wave. Sending my heartfelt sympathy to the entire Baith family during this difficult time.