Donna Maxine (Shields) Baer

Donna Maxine Baer, a long-time resident of Kokomo, passed from this world to be with her savior, Jesus Christ, after a short encounter with pancreatic cancer on May 19, 2023, in Lansing, MI. She was born Donna Shields to Hazel and Harley Shields in Economy, Indiana on July 5, 1934. 

She was raised in Economy, graduating from Economy High School in 1952.  She attended Ball State University, where she was graduated from the Ball Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 with a Diploma of Nursing. Donna worked as a registered nurse for over 40 years, with most of that time in Kokomo at St. Joseph Hospital and West Sycamore Medical Center. 

Donna married Charles Baer of Kokomo in 1955.  Donna and Charlie had three children, Suzanne (John) Johnson, who resides in Okemos, MI., daughter Becky who died in 1977, and son Scott who died in 2020. 

In addition to Suzanne, Donna is also survived by three grandchildren, Bradley (Kaitlin) Johnson of Wixom, MI; Erin (Devin) Johnson Carlson of Morrice, MI; and Charles Baer of Kokomo, IN; as well as six great grandchildren – Dylan, Emmalyn and Charlotte Carlson of Morrice, MI; and Avery, Mila and Kiera Johnson of Wixom, MI. 

No services will take place.  Donna was cremated and interred in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.  Arrangements were entrusted to Shirley & Stout Funeral Home. Donations in Donna’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society. Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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