John Cameron Baye

April 10, 1953 - April 23, 2022

John C. Baye, age 68, of Marion, IL, passed away suddenly at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Heartland Regional Medical Center of Marion. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the son of John William and Mary Theresa (Gainer) Baye. He attended school in Toronto and was a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with a degree in percussion. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Marsha Annette Thaxton on January 19, 1999, in Detroit, MI, and together they have shared over 23 years of marriage. His working career was as Transportation Coordinator for the DuPont Company of Canada, for about 15 years. He later worked for Quix X Transportation Company of Toronto, Canada, as their Transportation Coordinator for several years. He was a member of the Toronto Scottish Regiment Drum and Bugle Corp performing in competitions and shows in Canada and the United States. He furthered his career in music being the drummer for the show band “The Great Rufus Road Machine” touring across Canada for several years and later with the “Mondo Combo Band.” He moved to Southern Illinois in 2005, to be near his wife’s family from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. While living in Marion, he was a drum instructor for nearly 14 years, at Byassee Music and Sound Company of Marion, and was instrumental in the musical development of countless percussionist in the Southern Illinois area. He also served as the “Pipe Drummer” who escorted the veterans off the planes returning home from many of the “Veteran’s Honor Flights” in Marion. He was of the Catholic faith. While living in Canada, he played competition snooker and pool and was known as “The Fly” in the pool and music circuit. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, watching snooker and pool tournaments on television and reading. He is survived by his wife, Marsha Bent Baye of Marion; two sons, Dale Bent and wife, Hailey of Wildwood, GA, and Chris Bent and wife, Kim of Vienna, IL; daughter, Kerri Bent Junghanel and husband, Jake of Effingham, IL; six grandchildren, Dallas Bent and wife, Alison, Quinnton Bent and fiancé, Destiny, Kaitlyn Stopa, Addison Bent, Harbor Bent and Kolbi Junghanel; great-grandson, Louka Bent; sister-in-law, Marilyn Hurst of Marion; brother-in-law, Marvin Thaxton and wife, Judy of Bloomington, IL; very special friends, Scott Slinkard of Pittsburg, IL, Eric Thomas and Paul Thompson both of Marion; his special dog companion, Lucy, as well as a multitude of students, parents and friends across Canada and America who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Billy T. “Topper” Hurst. Arrangements are entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 North Court Street, Marion, IL. The visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27th, at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 28, 2022, with Paul Thompson presiding. Interment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery of Marion, IL. The family has requested for those who prefer, memorial contributions be made to John’s wife; “Marsha Baye” to help with final expenses. Memorial contributions may be mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, Marion, IL, 62959. Memorial contribution envelopes will be available at the funeral home. For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.