Miami Herald, The (FL) - September 13, 1989
Deceased Name: LUCILE C. BAER, CO-FOUNDER OF FURNITURE FIRM
A service will be held today for Lucile C. Baer of Hallandale, vice chairman of the board of Baer's Furniture Co., a family-owned business in Broward.

Mrs. Baer, 79, died in her sleep Monday at her Hallandale home only 10 weeks after her husband, Melvin H. Baer, 82, died.

She had heart problems, family members said. "She loved her family, but her life had been so long with her husband that she wanted to be with him," said Robert Baer, one of her sons.

Lucile Ciralsky was born in South Bend, Ind. She met Melvin Baer at age 13 at Sunday school in South Bend; he was 16.

The couple married after he graduated from the University of Michigan in 1929. They had celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in June.

In 1945, the couple opened their first furniture store, Baer's Home Outfitters, in South Bend. Later, the family decided Broward would be a good place to expand and in 1968 opened a store in Dania -- their first in Florida. The family now sells furniture in five Broward stores and one in Palm Beach County. Robert Baer is the chief executive officer. Mrs. Baer's two other sons also hold management positions. James Baer is president and Allan Baer is executive vice-president.

"They felt very strong about their relationship to the community," Robert Baer said of his parents. "They felt their success was only due to the fact that other people were treated fairly."

Laurance Baer is the youngest of the third generation of Baers to run the family furniture business.

"I grew up more or less in the shadow of the business," Laurance Baer said. "I've always planned on working with the family. There is security. People look at you and say, 'You have no cares,' but it's like any other work situation--you have to prove yourself." Mrs. Baer was the past president of the Hollywood Auxiliary of the Douglas Gardens and Jewish Home and Hospital for the Aged in Miami. She was active in the Jewish Federation of South Broward and a member of Temple Beth El in Hollywood. Survivors include three sons, James Baer of Parkland, Allan Baer of Fort Lauderdale and Robert Baer of Hallandale; two sisters, Hortence Engle of Pompano Beach and Margaret Mark of New York City. ; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A service is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today at Riverside Guardian Chapel, 2230 Hollywood Blvd. Entombment will be at Beth El Memorial Gardens. Donations may be made to the Melvin and Lucile Baer Philanthropic Fund-Jewish Federation of South Broward, in care of the Jewish Federation of South Broward, 2719 Hollywood Blvd.

Edition: BRWRD
Page: 4BR