Henry Silverwood Baird

Henry Silverwood Baird, 62, of Springfield, passed away at 5:55 pm, on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Henry was born on March 23, 1955, in Highland Park, IL to William Tell and Anne Fern (McCulland) Baird. He married Marcia Anne Davis on August 1, 1981, in St. Louis, MO.

Henry is survived by his wife, Marcia; two daughters, Angela Kathryn Fitzjarrell of Springfield, Amy Marie (Ryan Dean) Peifer; three grandsons, Gary William Fitzjarrell, August “Auggie” Dean Peifer, and Abraham Henry Peifer; two brothers, William Tell (Pamela) Baird IV of Glenview and Thomas (Louella) Wood Baird of Sterling Heights, MI; several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, John Taylor Baird and Robert James Baird and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Raymond A. and Julieta L. Davis.

Henry graduated from Glenbrook South High School in 1974, Parks College of St. Louis University in 1980, and was a member of Alpha Sigma Chi. He graduated with a degree in aviation and business. In 1974 he was a US Marine Corps Veteran serving as a Corporal. He was a successful entrepreneur. In the course of his life he opened and ran 16 businesses with his wife. Henry took pride in his dedication to their businesses and successfully worked until the very end.

He was a member of Christ the King Parish. He was extremely active and enjoyed golfing, running, hitting the slopes to ski, biking, playing volleyball, and chasing his three grandsons. Henry and his wife were active members of a couple’s golf league and Christ the King’s volleyball team. On occasion, he enjoyed driving around town in his bright red Shelby convertible. He was a lifelong learner and loved traveling the world. As a hobby, he loved to fly, hike on their farm, playing cards, and reading John Grisham books. He was energetic and always smiling.

Visitation: 4 – 7 pm, Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at Staab Funeral Home-Springfield with a prayer service at 4 pm. There will be a second visitation from 9 – 10 am, Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Christ the King Church.

Funeral Mass: 10 am, Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Christ the King Church with Reverend Joseph Ring officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.