Son of Edwin Morris Baldwin and Anna Emily Wilbur. Married Caroline Elizabeth Weadbrock 6 Aug 1913. Their children were Verna Fern, Earl Chester, Leota Caroline, Edwin "Ed" Morris, Loraine Janet, Donald John, Dewayne Leonard and a child who died a birth. He and his wife, Caroline, were killed by a drunk driver.

Death Article/Obituary

The Daily News Serving Greenville, Belding, Montcalm County Published at Greenville, Michigan, Monday February 8, 1954, Page 1

Cedar Springs Couple Montcalm's First Highway Fatalities of 1954

Mr. and Mrs. Leonard E. Baldwin, formerly of Belding who now live at R1, Cedar Springs were killed instantly Saturday afternoon when their car collided with a pickup truck on M-91 south of Greenville. They were Montcalm's first traffic fatalities in 1954. The two vehicles (above) were demolished.

Michigan Weekend Toll 19

A Cedar Springs farmer and his wife were killed Saturday afternoon in an accident 1-1/2 miles south of Greenville. They were Montcalm County's first traffic fatalities in 1954.

Dead are:
Leonard W. Baldwin, 69, and his wife, Caroline E. Baldwin, 59, both of R1, Cedar Springs. They are survived by seven children and 15 grandchildren.

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Deputy Hugh Yaner said their car collided with a pick-up truck driven by John Henry Llerch, 49, R2, Saranac. He is in United Memorial Hospital where his condition is reported today as "satisfactory." Yaner said he is suffering from chest, knee and internal injuries.

The accident occurred at 5:15 p.m. on M-91 at the Greenville Drive-In Theater. It was witnessed by two Grand Rapids men. One of them John Tuft, reported to Yaner today.

According to Yaner, Tuft was following the Baldwin car which was traveling north. Tuft said he was at the top of the hill just as the two vehicles collided and had a full view of the accident.

Tuff said according to Yaner, that Loerch was going south on the left side of the center line of the highway for about 200 feet before his truck collided with the Baldwin car. He told Yaner that Mrs. Baldwin,who was driving the car, went off the highway on to the right shoulder in an attempt to avert the crash.

Tuft also said that when Mrs. Baldwin applied the brakes her car slid and started going sideways, according to Yaner. It was then that the two vehicles collided. Tuft said.

There were no other cars nearby that could have caused the accident,Tuft said.

He said Mrs. Baldwin was thrown out of the car onto the highway. Yaner said Mr Baldwin was pinned in the wreckage.

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Tuff was accompanied by Aaron Taylor.

Loerch, a Gibson Refrigerator Co. employee, was questioned Sunday night by Prosecutor C. Homer Miel. He told Miel, according to Sheriff Elton Sampson, that he could not talk because of his injuries.

Sampson said today that Loerch "probably will be charged." He didn ot say what the charge might be.

The Baldwins lived on a farm near Lincoln lake. They were formerly residents of Belding where Mr. Baldwin was a janitor at the high school. Mrs. Baldwin was employed at Jolly Kids Togs Garment Co.

Double funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Hoffman Funeral Home with the Rev. Lester Clough of Belding officiating.

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Mrs. Baldwin was born at Blueworth, Minn., Aug 17, 1894. She was a member of the Blue Star Mothers ????? lodge and the Royal Neighbors.

Mr. Baldwin was born at Barton City, Feb 8, 1884.

Their survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Leota Brabon, Rockford, Mrs. Lorraine Brabon, Otsego and Mrs. Verna Shears, Grand Ledge; four sons, Earl and Donald, both of Otsego, Edwin of Ionia and DeWayne, Rockford and 15 grandchildren.

Mrs. Baldwin is survived by one brother, James Weadbrock, Detroit.

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Mr. Baldwin's survivors are one sister, Mrs. Elva Cartwright,Belding; and three brothers, Vernon, Grand Rapids, Clarence, Barton City and Ellsworth.

Burial will be in Cannonsburg Cemetery.