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Funeral services will take place on Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 10:00 AM (Central).

St. Ann Catholic Church
Humboldt, South Dakota

Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota
1:30 p.m. Friday, January 1, 2016
A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Humboldt.



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In memory of

Edmund "Sonny" Baye, Jr.

of Humboldt, South Dakota, died on Friday, December 25, 2015 at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital at the age of 78

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2015 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Humboldt, SD. The family will be present to greet friends for visitation on Wednesday at St. Ann Catholic Church from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with The Holy Rosary followed by a Liturgical Wake Service beginning at 7:00 PM.

Services in Philip, SD will take place on Friday, January 1, 2016 beginning with the Holy Rosary, Liturgical Prayer Service and lunch at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 12:00 PM (MST) with committal service and military honors at Masonic Cemetery in Philip at 1:30 PM (MST).

Edmund Wallace "Sonny" Baye Jr. was born on May 17, 1937, in Philip, S.D., to Edmund W. “Eddie” Sr. and Louise A. (Dalrymple) Baye. He was raised and received his education in Philip attending Philip High School. In 1956 Edmund entered into the United States Air Force and proudly served three tours of duty in Vietnam. He received his honorable discharge in 1968. Following his time in the service Edmund moved back to Philip and continued his education at Black Hills State University where he sang in the school choir and a member of the Veterans Club. It was in 1968 that Edmund joined his father and his two brothers, Richard and Robert in the family John Deere implement business, Baye and Sons.

Edmund was united in marriage with Elsie Hey on December 31, 1976 in Baltic, SD. Edmund and Elsie were blessed with four children while he continued working with his brothers. He loved working in the family business and the people he served. In 1990 the family moved to Ft. Pierre, SD and Edmund began his second career as a truck driver working a contact position for the United States Postal Service. The family relocated to Sioux Falls in 1993 and then to the South Dakota communities of Highmore and Faith before making their home in Humboldt in 2013. Edmund retired from trucking in 2005.

Edmund was very proud of his Catholic Faith, he loved attending the sacrifice of the Holy Mass on a daily basis, lecturing, a Lay Eucharistic Minister at church and to the homebound, serving on the Parish Councils, singing in the choirs and helping out a priest if a altar server was needed. Edmund was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years and served as Grand Knight in his Ft. Pierre Council. He also took great pride in his community serving on the Philip City Council and on the Philip and Ft. Pierre Volunteer Fire Departments.

Edmund exemplified the term “Gentleman” and was blessed with a generous spirit and “gift of gab” telling stories making friends everywhere he went. His passion of music and singing Edmund proudly passed down to his children, and his eyes would light up, hearing them sing. He enjoyed watching racing, fishing, boating, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs. Above all he loved spending time with his family; especially taking them on long drives.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Elsie Baye, Humboldt, SD; children: Toni (Gary) Gusko, Goodyear, AZ, Sandy (Chris) Riley, Newport News, VA, Nichole (Danny) Haag, Montrose, SD, Jordan (Lisa) Baye, Sioux Falls, SD, Erica (Dallas) Goembel, Brandon, SD, and Edmund Tyson Baye, Humboldt, SD; 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Robert (Shirley) Baye, Box Elder, SD, and Richard (Teddy) Baye, Mission, TX; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Edmund is preceded in death by his parents Edmund Sr. and Louise Baye; and son, Edmund Eugene Baye.

There will also be a vigil service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 1. There will be a lunch following the service and burial with military honors at 1:30 p.m.

  • I am so very sorry to see this! My last time I saw Sonny was in Highmore. We had a great visit about what Nichole and Jordan were up to and how Elsie was doing (Elsie, you were home recovering from surgery or an illness). I am glad we had that visit. You are all in my prayers. ~ Peggy Schlechter Rapid City, SD (12/31/2015)
  • "I'll tell you what" Eddy was our favorite truck driver at the Pierre Post office. We have many nice memories of such a nice guy. ~ Jim and Shelli Terwilliger Rapid City SD (12/30/2015)
  • Elsie and family! So sorry to hear of Sonny's passing! I know he is with the lord now and that's good too! May the comfort of the lord be with you all in the days ahead ! ~ Joe Millage &Elaine Thennis Philip SD (12/30/2015)
  • THANKS FOR SERVING ~ A VETERAN (12/29/2015)
  • Elsie and Family , So very sorry for your loss,! ~ Bob and Sue Schanzenbach Tea,Sd (12/29/2015)
  • I remember visiting with Sonny at a ball game in Philip, he was so proud of the boys and honored that they wanted him to ride on the bus with them. He always had a smile even though he was going through so much. I can hear him saying " Hell ya It's great here and I'm glad I'm here" May your memories carry you through this trying time. ~ Dorothy Hansen Philip SD (12/29/2015)
  • Elsie and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. So glad I got to visit in your warm and beautiful home. May the many memories make the celebration of life everlasting. ~ Bill and Marsha Sumpter Kadoka (12/29/2015)
  • So sorry to hear that Sonny has passed. So glad to have you come and stay with us and know that his sense of humor was still with him at that time. ~ George and Sandee Gittings Philip (12/28/2015)
  • One can't think of Sonny Baye without smiling. He was just the nicest man. My thoughts and prayers are with you. ~ Karen Hanson Rapid City SD (12/28/2015)
  • Keeping you in my prayers. ~ Corinna Thompson Faith, SD (12/28/2015)
  • My deepest sympathies go out to the family. I have very fond memories of Sonny. He was truly one of a kind. Sonny was a fun and loving man. I know he will be missed by many. Praying for you Elsie and the whole family. Love and hugs! ~ Paula Stone Lubbock Texas (12/28/2015)
  • Our deepest sympathy for your loss. God Bless ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, S.D. (12/28/2015)
  • Elsie, Richard and Robert am so sorry to read that Sonny is gone was so glad to have visited him just before memorial day and his American flag was flying. Keep the memories they will help you remember a super guy. God's blessings to you all. Connie Lee ~ Connie Midland, TX (12/28/2015)
  • We are thinking of you folks during this difficult time, hold onto all the memories. He was a very special guy. ~ Les and Joann Pearson Philip, SD (12/27/2015)
  • To the entire family of Sonny,
    Our sincerest thoughts & Prayers are with all of You; Remember all the good memories that You have. We remember many good times spent with Sonny in the Philip area.     ~ Jerry & Kathy Noteboom Yuma, Az. (12/27/2015)
  • Elsie and family: our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Sonny was a gentle soul and a good friend who will be missed.m ~ Jerald and Andrea Cook Cottonwood, SD (12/27/2015)