John “Warren” Baum, 84, of Holton, KS passed away Monday, February 16, 2015 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, MO. He was born December 20, 1930 in Kansas City, MO the son of Ernest Roy and Mary Kathryn (Warren) Baum.

Warren graduated from Holton High School in 1949 and attended Kansas University.

He entered business with his father in 1953 and later purchased the Holton Super Market.  After closing the store in 1978, he went to work for Farm Bureau Insurance and was winner of many awards. He was a Million Dollar Life Producer, two Million Dollar Life Producer and top fire and auto writer several times. He was a winner of many trips and in 1981 was Special Agent of the Year which is one of the highest awards that can be received.

Warren was past President and member of the Holton Rotary Club, Masonic Lodge and Odd Fellows Lodge.     

He was a member of Holton First Christian Church, where he served as Board President, Elder, Trustee and Deacon many times. Warren was also a member of the Holton Fire Department for 22 years and served as Fire Chief for 14 years.

Warren married Donna Fernkopf in 1953, they later divorced. In 1978 he married Carla Heim, she survives of the home.

Besides his wife Carla, other survivors include 2 daughters, Cindy Gentry (Shane) of Shawnee Mission, KS and Mickey Parsel (Mike) of Overland Park, KS; a brother, Robert “Bob” Baum (Norma) of Holton and 4 grandchildren, Sean Parsel (Lauren), Shelby Mangus (Devin), Kristy Gentry and Ryan Gentry.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an older brother, Ernest R. Baum, Jr.

Funeral services will be 3:30 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2015 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday. Burial will be in the Holton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be given to the First Christian Church, c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.