Orville Jerome Baer, Jr.

Orville Jerome Baer, Jr. passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 23, 2023.  He was born in Steamboat Springs, Colorado on June 11, 1937, to Orville Jerome Baer, Sr. and Leona Fay McQuire.

Orville earned a bachelor’s degree from Union College, Master of Divinity from Andrews University, and a Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University.  He served as a church minister for 28+ years, Police Chaplin, and Hospital Chaplin.  Orville started and led the volunteer hospital chaplain program at St. Luke Hospital.

While attending college, Orville learned to fly and started a flight instruction business. During retirement he flew parachute jumpers, worked at the local Ronan Schools as a substitute teacher, built a log home, worked at restoring an 1800’s carriage and grew the best tomatoes.

Orville is survived by Joyce Baer (spouse), Malinda Freedman, Melody McWilliam (daughters); Jesse Freedman, Jared Freedman, Joseph McWilliam (grandsons), Kate McWilliam (granddaughter), 4 great grandchildren; 6 stepchildren, 10 step grandchildren, 13 step great grandchildren.

The funeral service will be at the Ronan Seventh-day Adventist Church, 36334 Mud Creek Lane, Ronan, MT on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with interment at the Ronan Cemetery.