George Minnich Baer, Jr.

DOVER TOWNSHIP- George Minnich Baer, Jr., 87 of Dover, died Thursday, May 20, 2010 at York Hospital. He was the husband of Anna E. (Lehigh) Baer. The couple celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary on June 15, 2009. A Celebration of Life Service will be 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, 2010 at Friendship Community Church, 3380 Fox Run Rd. in Dover. Full military honors will be provided by York County Veteran's Honor Guard at the start of the service. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd. in York is in charge of the arrangements. George was born in Delta on September 4, 1922, a son of the late George Minnich Baer, Sr. and Flossie A. (Proctor) Baer. George was a member of Slate Ridge Presbyterian Church in Delta and a 1940 graduate of Delta High School. He served in the US Army in the European Theatre in WWII, where he received a Purple Heart after being wounded in Germany and was discharged in 1946. He attended college under the G.I. Bill and majored in Education. George taught in Delta, PA, Northern California and was Headmaster at the School of the American Embassy in Syria for two years; then returned to the United States and taught in the York City Schools until retirement. George was a life member of Military Order of Purple Heart, serving as a past Commander of Local Chapter 390 and was life member of both: Shiloh American Legion and Disabled American Veterans Organization. He served as a Board Member of American Lung Association of York County, and was a member of PA Teachers Association, York Ballroom Dance Club, Polka Dancers, and AARP. He was also a member of the former Dutch and Manor Clubs. George loved to play golf. He was a member of the former Red Lion Country Club Golf Course and a member of the Briarwood AARP Golf Group. He was also a skilled Archer, using his talents for targets only, never for hunting animals. He won Gold and Silver medals for Archery in the PA Senior Games and the National Senior Olympics. Along with his wife, George leaves four children, Amanda Baer Eckerfield and her husband Bart of California, Michael Minnich Baer and his wife Debbie of York, John William Baer, currently serving in the US Army in Afghanistan and his wife Tracy of York, and Edward Lee Baer and his wife Jennifer of York; five grandchildren Seneca Dawn James, Megan Louise James, Michael Minnich Baer, Jr., Elise Nicole Baer, and Emily Baer, and one grandchild on the way; four step children, Marcia L. Dellinger, Kenneth R. Hoover, Jr., Richard R. Hoover, and Kathy A. Hickman; five step grandchildren; and five step great grandchildren; and two nieces, Charlotte Eichelberger and Barb Creager. He was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Creager. Memorial contributions may be made to American Lung Association 3001 Old Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011 or Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250.