John Brian Baird

   John “Brian” Baird, 73, of Coleta died Tuesday March 10, 2026, at Rock River Hospice & Home in Sterling, IL, surrounded by family. Brian was born January 15, 1953, in Olney IL, the son of Philip and Freda (Price) Baird.

   Survivors include one daughter Hilary (Joe) Garza; two brothers Brad ( Linda) Baird, and Brent (Janica) Baird; one sister Barbara Baird (David Dion); three grandchildren Aaliyah Garza, Antonio Garza, and Jayden Villegas. Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Philip & Freda Baird, one brother, Bruce Baird; two sister-in-laws, Betsy Baird, and Charlene “Happy” Baird.

   Brian was a Boy Scout, along with his brothers, and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. The family moved to Kathmandu, Nepal when he was in eighth grade, where he was active in leadership of a Boy Scout troop in Kathmandu, Nepal. He completed his freshman year of high school via correspondence school and then attended the American International School in New Delhi, India. He graduated from Sterling High School. These experiences meant a great deal to him and impacted him deeply. He attended Sauk Valley Community College and Southern Illinois University, joining Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. Professionally, he spent several years working for Western Geophysical Co., exploring for oil near Laredo, Texas. He spent most of his career working for National Manufacturing Co. in Sterling, Illinois, working as a Traffic Manager. Brian loved doing reenactments of the Civil War. He and his father, Philip, owned a civil war cannon and were involved in an artillery unit which traveled the major Civil War reenactments celebrating the 100th year of Civil War battles. They were extras in the movie, “North and South”. He was an expert in the knowledge of Civil War battles and the movements of troops in most of the major battles fought during the Civil War. He owned or read most books written about the Civil war. He was also involved in World War I reenactments and Western reenactments. His fellow reenactors had great respect for his leadership and knowledge on all subjects Civil War, Western life styles and World War I. Those involved with him were his “pards” and were an integral and important part of his life. He learned to sew and became very proficient in making and selling Civil War attire. He got his sewing skills from his mother. He impacted many reenactors and will be missed at future reenactments. He loved the Grateful Dead and attended around 50 concerts, most with his brother-in-law, David Dion. He passed peacefully listening to the “Dead”. He was a lifelong “Dead Head”, owning hundreds of tapes of “Dead”concerts.

   Cremation rites have been entrusted to Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation in Sterling. A Celebration of Life will take place at Champs on Light Street, in Sterling, Illinois, on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at 2PM-4PM with a small dinner to follow.

    A memorial fund has been established.

   Condolences may be sent to www.schillingfuneralhome.com.