John L. Pedro Baum, age 87, formerly of 114 Ohio Ave. SW, Huron, died Sunday, August 15, 2004, at the Huron Nursing Home. His funeral service will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday, August 18, at the Welter Funeral Home with Rev. Steven Brandsrud officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery with Military Rites by the Huron Veterans Council. Friends may call Tuesday afternoon and evening or Wednesday morning until the time of service at the Welter Funeral Home. John L. Baum was born on August 24, 1916, to August and Eva (Weiner) Baum at Huron. He attended Huron Schools and on December 3, 1930, when he was 14 years old, enlisted in the Army National Guard in Company C of the 109th Engineers. He told them he was 19. He was honorably discharged on the December 2, 1933. On October 7, 1940, he enlisted in the same National Guard Unit, and was called into Federal Service from February 10, 1941, to his honorable discharge on November 16, 1944. While in the Army in 1942, he transferred to the famed Darbys Rangers as a member of the 1st Ranger Battalion, when it was founded and led by the Colonel William O. Darby. Of 1,500 original soldiers, his group dwindled to 97 before being sent home. During World War II he received at least 18 military decorations and awards, including two awards of the prestigious Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Unit Commendations, and numerous battle stars. On November 24, 1945, Pedro married Louise Busch at Huron. He was employed at Armour and Company, several construction companies in Huron, and the Huron City Street Department for 15 years. On August 15, 1968, he married Ethel Smith Toy at Huron. He was a lifelong resident of Huron. He was a lifetime member of the Forrest McMullen Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1776, the William Reaves American Legion Post #7, and the DAV. He is survived by one step-son George A. Smith of Boone, IA; one step-daughter-in-law, Lynn D. (Larry) Reimnitz of Huron; 7 step-grandchildren, Wendy Sporrer, Kelly J. Wolf, Blaine Smith, Liz Neilson, Jean Spain, Kim Lane, and Kelly Smith; 17 step-great grandchildren; one nephew Danny Baum of Huron; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ethel; one step-daughter, Dorris Lewis; three brothers, LeRoy, Kenny, and Norman Baum; and one sister, Genevieve Johnson.