Edmund W. "Eddie" Baye was born September 4, 1913, in Webster, South Dakota, the son of Sylvan and Helena (Erdmann) Baye. At a young age the family moved five miles west of Philip to homestead. Eddie attended grade school at the Jones School west of Philip, and attended Philip High School, graduating in 1931. After graduation he hauled cream around the country with his International truck. He later worked for the State Highway Department.

Eddie was united in marriage to Louise A. "Birdie" Dalrymple on September 18, 1935 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip. They made their home in Philip where Eddie worked at Dorothy Brothers as a mechanic and body man. In 1951, he and Dean Parsons bought the John Deere dealership from Dorothy Brothers, and started Baye and Parsons Implement. In 1957, he became sole owner of the dealership, and in 1968, changed the name to Baye and Sons. After thirty-seven years of ownership, Eddie retired in 1988, and spent his time enjoying his many hobbies, including golfing, camping, and traveling around the country in his motor home.

His wife Birdie preceded him in death on March 7, 2000. He continued to live in Philip and on August 21, 2004, Eddie married Lila Maxine Pratt in Long Beach, California. They spent the winter months in Long Beach, and the summers in Philip.

Eddie was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Philip Chamber of Commerce, the Flying Farmers, and the South Dakota Wheatgrowers. Eddie enjoyed flying, holding his pilot’s license for many years

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Lila Maxine Baye; three sons Edmund "Sonny" Baye, Jr. and his wife Elsie of Highmore, Robert Baye and his wife Shirley of Box Elder, and Richard Baye and his wife Teddy of Philip; a step-daughter Rita Parenti and her husband John of Long Beach, California; seventeen grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; four-great-great-grandchildren; and a brother Alfred Baye of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to his first wife Birdie, Eddie was preceded in death by a grandson Edmund Eugene Baye; his parents; two sisters Rosalie Keelin and Katherine Moss; and a brother Francis Baye.

Visitation was held 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 26, with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m., all at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Mass of Christian Burial was held 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 27, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Father Ron Garry as celebrant and Father Arnold Kari as con-celebrant.

Interment was in the Masonic Cemetery.

The family requests memorials directed to the Philip Health Services.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Friday, October 27, 2006 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Ron Garry

CON-CELEBRANT
Father Arnold Kari

MUSIC
JoAnne Stilwell – Organist
Maureen Palecek – Vocalist
"On Eagles’ Wings"
"Ave Maria"
"Lord’s Prayer"

LECTOR
Rita O'Connell

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Art Kroetch - Les Pearson

USHERS
Sonny LaBeau – Terry Buchert

ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Patrick Baye – Timothy Baye
Russell Baye – Sylvan Baye
Jordan Baye – Tyson Baye

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota