Paul "Bobby" R. Baldwin

Paul R. “Bobby” Baldwin died on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Harvard Care Center. He was born in Union Town, Kentucky on December 3, 1935, to Audie and Clara Baldwin. After working in the coal mines, at the age of 17 Bobby wanted to make a better life for himself, moving to northern Illinois and first working at Fagan’s in Delavan, Wisconsin. A self-taught auto-body man, he worked at various agencies in Harvard including Ferris Brothers and Burkart’s. Eventually he opened his own body shop known as “Bobby’s Auto Body,” which he operated for 25 years. Much to his chagrin, he retired at the age of 84. Bobby was a founding member of the First Baptist Church of Harvard where his roles included elder, song leader, school bus driver, and maintenance. Bobby married Avis Johnston on October 15, 1956, who died on July 2, 1985. He later married Jeannie Perkins on May 29, 1994.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jeannie Baldwin; 2 sons, Kemmy (Dede Stewart) and Denny (Chris) Baldwin; stepson, Tim (Regina) Perkins; stepdaughter, Jodie (Jack) Scott; grandchildren, Keenan, Nathan (Noel), Raquel (Sam Saxton), and Luke (Jesse) Baldwin, and Jenna (Neal) Sankey; step-grandchildren, Heather Scott, Meggie (Jason) Buntjer, Sr. Master Sergeant Emily Scott, Kurtis (Alex) Hartwig, and numerous great-grandchildren. Further survived by brother, Ray “Perk” Baldwin; sister, Helen Schimke; and brothers-in-law, Harvey Perkins and Jack Nolen.

Preceded in death by his first wife, Avis Baldwin; siblings, George (Edna) and Gordon (Margaret) Baldwin, and Cleta Oldham; in-laws, Katherine Nolen, Pat Perkins, Barb Nolen, Walt Schimke, Juanita (Andy) Buhs, and Marine (Duane) Wray.

The Baldwin family would like to extend their gratitude to all the nurses, staff, and hospice personnel for their compassionate, loving care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Mercyhealth Hospice or Comfort Care at Mercy Harvard.  

Friends and family are invited to a visitation and service on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10:00AM until 12:00PM at Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, 107 W. Sumner St., Harvard, IL 60033. Funeral service will begin at noon, and interment will follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Harvard.

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