Gwendolyn G. & Kenneth W. Baud

On April 25, 2020, Gwendolyn Gene Baud, passed away at the age of 86, and on October 31, 2021, her loving husband, Kenneth Warren Baud, passed away at the age of 87.  They were abundantly loving and adored parents, grandparents, and great grandparents.

Gwen was born on September 28, 1933 in Lawrenceville, IL to Carlos and Ida (nee Lewis) Whipkey.  Ken was born on June 8, 1934 in Palestine, IL to Everett and Wilma (nee Fuller) Baud.  They met at age 11, fell in love as teenagers, and married on June 15, 1953.  As newlyweds, they ran a drive-in restaurant and Gwendolyn Gene Baud saved enough for Ken to attend the University of Illinois, where he earned a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering.  Ken served as a Captain in the US Air Force before becoming abrilliant aeronautical engineer at NASA’s Lewis (now Glenn) Research Center during the pioneering years of space exploration.  They had two sons and two daughters.

Gwen’s foremost passion was her family, and she also loved reading and rake knitting.  When her children were young, she taught Sunday School at St. John Lutheran Church in Strongsville, was active in the PTA, and worked at Barr Studios in Berea.  Ken was also passionate about family, as well as NASA, genealogy, and wood carving.  His carvings won numerous awards across the state.  Both were known for their unparalleled selflessness and relentless work around the house; always making others feel welcome and loved.

Gwen was preceded in death by her parents, Carlos and Ida, and her sisters Elaine Bartram and Carla Gibson.  Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Wilma, and his sistersDorothy and Lois.  They are also survived by their four children, Kathleen (Doug) Gordon, Richie (Cathy), Judi (David) Thomas and Eric (James Eller), Gwen’s brother Bradley, Ken’s siblings John, Lillie Robinson, Barbara Brown, Nina Woermann, Nola Pinkstaff, and Wayne, ten grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Honoring their wishes, a small private service was held with military honors on April 22, 2022, at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio.