Leonard Gray 'Cliff' Baugher

 NORTH WEBSTER – Leonard Gray “Cliff” Baugher, 71, passed away suddenly at 5:55 p.m. May 26, 2015, in Goshen I.U. Hospital, where he had been admitted a few hours earlier. He was born Dec. 17, 1943, in Warsaw, to Arthur Herman and Eunice M. Hatten Baugher. On Feb. 18, 1966, in Federal Point, Fla., he married Susan Badger, who passed away May 31, 1983. On March 9, 1985, in Warsaw, he married Esther S. Werstler, his loving wife of 30 years, who survives in North Webster. He earned the title of “Pistol Pete” at an early age as he developed a love for guns and hunting. He loved to play basketball and attended military school during some of his high school years in Georgia. He graduated from North Webster High School with the Class of 1962. He attended Indiana University, studying psychology from 1962 to 1965. In 1965, he entered the U.S. Marines and served during the Vietnam War as a corporal with aircraft avionics, including a 13-month tour in South Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in March 1968. The U.S. Marines was always a huge part of his life until the day he passed away and only in the past few years did he begin to share war stories with his family members. He attended International Business College from 1968 to 1969. He was a certified emergency medical technician, becoming an advanced emergency medical technician in 1992. From 1992 to 1993, he attended Northwestern Michigan College Law Enforcement Training Program. He ended his life-long learning process by attending Michigan State Police Training program for dispatchers and telecommunicators in 1996. After his discharge from the military, he became the owner/operator of Lakeland Sanitation Service in North Webster. From 1972-1976 he owned Lakeland Real Estate, North Webster. He then became the assistant humane officer for Kosciusko County Humane Society, Warsaw. He then served as a corrections officer/jailer for Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. From 1976 to 1992, he worked Multi-Township Emergency Medical Services as an EMT, shift commander and co-director. From 1988 to 1992, he was a 911 dispatcher for Warsaw Police Department. In 1992, he moved to Traverse City, Mich., and became a 911 dispatcher for several years before retiring. He was a member of the Methodist faith and had grown closer to God in the past few years. He was an avid fisherman and loved anything to do with water. He loved to snowmobile and cherished the many days spent in northern Michigan playing in the snow. He took an active interest in ecology, conservation and preservation of wildlife and natural resources, serving as past president of the Northern Michigan Wildlife Rescue. Also surviving are four children: Tracey Gray Baugher, St. Augustine, Fla.; Trisha Lynn (and Mike) Hutchison, Elkhart; Nicholas Adam (and Audrey) Werstler, Dryden, Ontario, Canada; and Kate (and Micheala Lyn) Blumberg, Greenville, Mich.; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Frani (and Dick) Wells, Pierceton; one nephew, Todd (and Candy) Wells, North Webster; and one great-niece. He also was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Owen Family Funeral Home, North Webster. Burial is in Mock Cemetery, North Webster, with military rites by North Webster American Legion Post #253. Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City. ***** Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to the Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences may be sent via www.demoneygrimes.com