Ilene Mary (Hanefeld) Baer, 90 of Van Wert passed away shortly after arrival Sunday morning at Van Wert Health. She was born on March 23, 1928, in Brown Township, Paulding County, the daughter of the late Louis and Edna (Kirkendall) Hanefeld. On December 13, 1947, she married Peal Dean Baer who died on March 25, 2001. She was also preceded in death by a son, W. Devon Baer who died on May 2, 2005. Family survivors include her two sons, Daniel L. (Terri) Baer of Napoleon, Ohio and Kevin E. (Kris) Baer of Convoy. Ilene was a 1948 graduate of Ridge High School. She was a member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church, the Ladies Aide and LWML. She had worked as a licensed practical nurse at various hospitals. Later she worked for 12 years at Bordens Cheese factory in Van Wert then retired after 18 years of service at the Van Wert High School cafeteria. Ilene was a member of past three term president of the American Legion Auxiliary of Isaac Van Wert Post #178. She was also a member of the Van Wert County Genealogical Society and the Fort Wayne Seminary Guild. Services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, June 21, 2018, at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Harrison Township with Pastor Timothy Sims officiating. Interment will follow at Ohio City Woodlawn Cemetery. Calling hours are 4 - 7 p.m., Wednesday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Thursday at the Church. There will be an American Legion Auxiliary service Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. Preferred memorials are to St. Thomas Lutheran Church or the donor's choice. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com.