Raymond Joseph Baldwin, age 65 of Freeport (formerly of Rockford), passed away Saturday December 10, 2016, at the Stephenson Nursing Center, after a very long battle with Parkinson's disease. Ray was born November 21, 1951 in Calgary, Alberta Canada and later was adopted by James L. and Hellen A. (Spackman) Baldwin. His family then moved to Rockford, IL in 1959 where he later graduated from West High School in 1971. Ray married Judy L. Martz on May 26, 1973 at Brookville United Methodist Church.

Family was very important to Ray and he loved spending time with them. He was a very loving husband, father and grandfather. He would attend all their birthdays and their school events. Ray also enjoyed playing cards with his family especially his mother-in-law, Carol Martz. Ray served in the U.S Air Force in Minot, N. Dakota from 1972 to 1974, where he was a fireman. Ray became a U.S Citizen on May 18, 1976. He was a very hard working man and was employed at Sauer- Danfoss for 33 years. He was also employed at Wal-Mart for 10 years. Ray was a huge sports fan of the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bulls and the Rockford Ice Hogs. He loved to attend Ice Hog games with his family and always bought jerseys for everyone including his grandson when he was a month old. He enjoyed the Cubs so much that he became a member of the Die-Hard Cub fan club in 1959. Ray was very interested in the Civil War and attend many Civil War reenactments with his daughter. He also had a large collection of Civil War books and other items from that time.

Ray will be deeply missed by his wife, Judy Baldwin of Freeport IL; his daughter, Jennifer Roseland Clinton IA; and his four grandchildren, Devin Baldwin, Alexandra Wharton, Christian Roseland, and Brysen Roseland of Clinton, IA. Surviving family members include his brother, Bryan Baldwin of Wisconsin; his mother-in-law, Carol Martz of Shannon; his brother and sister-in-laws, Jerry and Linda Martz of Byron, Kirk and Janice Nielson of Bountiful, Utah, and Jeff Martz of Lanark. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Judith Mauer; brother-in-law, William Mauer; father-in-law, Marven Martz; and sister-in-law, Joanne Heckman.

Service will be at 10:00am Thursday December 15, at Walker Mortuary with Rev. Jerry Martz officiating. Interment will be at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Freeport IL. Visitation will be from 4p.m to 7p.m on Wednesday December 14, at Walker Mortuary in Freeport IL. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in his name.