Harold "Huck" W. Baldwin

Mayor Huck Baldwin Dies in Lusk Friday

Lusk Mayor Harold W. "Huck" Baldwin, 55, died of cancer in the Niobrara Memorial Hospital at 10:30 A.M. Friday. Funeral services were held from St. George's Episcopal Church Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Baldwin was first elected mayor in Mayor 1962 and was reelected in May 1964. It was during his years as mayor that the new Town Hall and the improved highway entrances were built.

Mr. Baldwin owned and operated the Thrifty Laundry in Lusk, a business he purchased in 1947. Under his management the business grew from a small concern to one with a major Lusk payroll and one which serves the Harrison and Douglas area. A dry cleaning business was recently added to the laundry service.

Perhaps he earned the most public admiration because of his heroic fight against crippling arthritis. Whatever he accomplished he did despite his handicap. While the pain showed in his swollen joints, it didn't retard his ability to get things done. He served on the original board of trustees of the B. P.O. Elks Lodge 1797, had served as the director of the Chamber of Commerce and several times had served on the vestry of St. George's Episcopal Church. He was a member of the Vestry at the time of his death. He was also currently a member of the board of directors of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities.

HOSPITAL MEMORIAL

A special memorial is being arranged for Mayor Baldwin. Contributions made in his memory will be used to buy some useful article or piece of equipment for the new Niobrara hospital. Contributions may be made to Earl Peet or to Nick Kaan Jr. Mr. Baldwin had been very interested in the new hospital.

FLAG LINED STREETS

Most Lusk business closed during the service and flags lined the business district streets.

Rev. James Scott rector of St George's, officiated. Casket bearers were Harry Fernau Sr., Nick Kaan Jr., Max T. Bird, Jerry Hollon, Jennings Ruffing, Carl Briscoe, Clyde Blackmore and Jack Melugin.

Honorary casketbearers were Nick Kaan Sr., Andrew McMaster, Roy Chamberlain, Melvin Merchen, George Dixon, Al Taylor, Charles Christian, Dick Pfister, J. P. Watson, Vince Packard and Vic Senters.

Mr. Baldwin, son of Ira A. and Golden A. Baldwin, was born in Hutchinson, Kan., November 10, 1909. Mr. Baldwin and Mary Tims were married in Newcastle April 15, 1927 and were the parents of one daughter, Erna Lee Greene.

Besides his widow and daughter, both of Lusk, he is survived by two brothers, Ralph of Lyle, Wash. and Bill of St. Mary's Idaho; two sisters, Mrs. Iral Derman of Sunnyside, Wash., and Mrs. Irene Woodworth of Seattle, Wash.; and two grandsons.

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