Verlyn Allen “Newt” Newton, age 82 of Baldwin, died Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Regions Hospital. Newt was born on November 10, 1929 in River Falls, Wisconsin; the son of Arnold and Gladys (Iverson) Newton. He attended the Palmer and Riverside country schools near Baldwin before graduating from the Baldwin High School. During this time, he enlisted in the armed forces where he proudly served in the Marines during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant in 1952. On July 17, 1954, he was united in marriage to Inez Marlene Ramberg at the Rush River Lutheran Church in rural River Falls. This union would be blessed with children Doug, Gary, and Susie. Newt began a long and rewarding career with the Village of Baldwin. He worked his ways through the ranks while working nearly forty years prior to retiring in 1993 as Street Commissioner. When he wasn’t working, which was very little, he thoroughly enjoyed visiting the family farmstead; helping his brother Duane and later his son Gary doing field work. He loved the smell of burning diesel fuel and making dust on a summer day. Furthermore, he enjoyed helping Chris Hanson driving truck or Bob Anderson with excavation work. He was a proud member of the American Legion in Baldwin and played a vital role in the building of the existing legion post. Furthermore, he took great pride in being a member of the Legion Memorial Honor Squad or helping at the annual chicken fry. He drove school bus for many years; but his passion outside his family was the Baldwin Fire Department (United Fire Department). His second family was his fellow firefighters. Newt was instrumental in starting the ambulance service in Baldwin as well as purchasing several fire apparatus; including his cherished Mack Fire Truck. He will be fondly remembered by many in this community for his unselfish dedication to the safety and well being of others for over 50 years! Up to his death this week, Newt continued to lay out a set of clothing in the event the fire pager sounded.

Newt will remain in the hearts of his wife Inez, children Doug (Joy) Newton of Baldwin, Gary (Janine) Newton of Baldwin, Susie (Kirk) Mabis of Baldwin; grandchildren Scott Newton, Brad (Sue) Newton, Brian Newton, Jill (Graham) Gausman, Josh (Emily) Newton, Jenna Newton, Adam Newton, Danielle (James) Smith, Taylor Mabis, Tana Mabis; great grandchildren Brandon, Madelyn, Hailey, Sam, Will, Gabriel, siblings Delores (Don) Lind of Baldwin, Earl (Marlys) Newton of Baldwin, John (Judy) Newton of Hammond, and Duane Newton of Baldwin. He is also survived by sisters/brothers-in-law Deloris Dumond, Lucy Larson, Annabel Ramberg, Ralph Peterson, as well as many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, and sisters/brother-in-laws Earl Ramberg, Harlan Ramberg, Eldon (Vivian) Ramberg, Dale Dumond, and Luella Peterson.

Funeral services for Verlyn Newton will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, January 23rd at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Baldwin. Burial will follow in the Baldwin Cemetery. The Baldwin American Legion Post #240 will be providing full military honors. Active casketbearers will be his grandsons, while honorary casket bearers will be Bob Lokken, Cotton Anderson, Joe Anderson, Reid Berger, Rueben Larson, and Jerry Larson. The Baldwin Fire Department and Village of Baldwin Public Works Department will be in uniform to pay respect to his years of service. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00-8:00PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Baldwin as well as one hour prior to the service at church on Monday. Memorials preferred.