Racine- Raymond Edward Baer, 64, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 surrounded by his family.

Raymond was born in Racine on August 30, 1946 to the late Raymond J. and Margaret M. (nee: Heinen) Baer. He faithfully served our country with the United States Marine Corps with Charlie Company, 1 ^st Battalion, 4 ^th Marines, 3 ^rd Marine Division, 2 ^nd Platoon in  Vietnam from 1966-69.  He then remained active with the Marine Corps Reserve Forces until 1971.  A decorated Drill Instructor, he received many awards including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart with two stars, Combat Action Ribbon,  National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars.

Ray was employed as a welder at Jacobsen-Textron for over 30 years. A man with a tremendous appreciation of the great outdoors, he loved spending time in Northern Wisconsin especially while hunting.  He also enjoyed barbequing and everyone looked forward to his famous barbequed chicken and ribs.  After moving to Hawaii in 2005, He returned back home in April 2011 to be with his loved ones after being diagnosed with cancer.

Surviving are his daughters, Michelle (Mark) Hinrichs, Adriane Baer and Patty Cacciotti; beloved grandson, Ben Hinrichs; sisters, Esther (Christopher) Henry and Melissa (William) Allen; niece and nephews, Heather, Adam, Marty and Jason.  He is also survived by his Brothers in Arms, Larry Alley, Harold Deibert, Bill Dorsey, Ralph Grant, Kent Hansen, Jerry Idziak, Robert D. Kelley, Lionel "Chooch" Lawson, Greg "Doc" Long, Gregg "Doc" Nichols, Larry Normand, Steve Pruitt, Dave Rumsey, Charlie Runnels, Larry Wilson and many other relatives and friends.

Committal Services, with full military honors, will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 10:00 am in the chapel of the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 21731 Spring Street in Union Grove.