Raymond "Ray" Baert died suddenly on Friday, March 27, 2015 in Biloxi, Miss. at the age of 84.He was born on July 9, 1930 to Marguerite and Al Baert in Detroit, where he grew up and married his high school sweetheart, the former Mildred Giertz. He then joined the U.S. Navy, serving during the Korean War.The couple, who just celebrated their 64th anniversary, made their home in Roseville, later Woodhaven, raising four children. After a career with Detroit Edison, the Baerts retired to Oscoda and Biloxi.Ray was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oscoda, also belonging to the Knights of Columbus Joseph M. Amley Council No. 5083 and American Legion Post 274. He was active in his church and his children's and grandchildren's schools all of his adult life and loved children. He volunteered for the Oscoda Backpack program, was a fish sitter for Lake Huron Sportsfishing and helped rebuild Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.He loved going to parades in Biloxi and the region, collecting the beads thrown from floats. He annually brought thousands of the beaded necklaces back to Oscoda, where, with his family, the beads were redistributed for many years to Oscoda children from the Baert family's own Fourth of July parade float.A quiet man with a great sense of humor, Ray was known for his love of family, kindness and his willingness to help anyone in need. He also loved fishing, hunting, golfing and working at the Lakewood Shores Golf Resort.He leaves behind his beloved wife, Mildred, and his much loved four children, Linda (John) Fonger of Oscoda, Ray (Cynthia) Baert of Oscoda, Kenneth (Vicky) Baert of Lake Orion and Christine (Gerald) Pensler of Woodhaven.Also surviving are 10 adoring grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, a brother-in-law, five sisters-in-law, two dear cousins and many, many close friends.Family and friends may pay their respects from 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oscoda. The funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m., with a luncheon afterward at the church. Burial will take place in the family plot at Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation, P.O. Box 273 | Suffern, NY 10901.Arrangements were by the Buresh Funeral Homes of Oscoda. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family on the on-line guest registry, www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.