Joseph Benedict Baich passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on September 1, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was born on March 12, 1927, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Mary Gojmerac Yankovich and George Baich. One of six children, Joe grew up on Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas, where he attended St. Anthony’s Grade School and Wyandotte High School. Before completing high school, he answered the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served aboard the USS LCI-630 in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

In November 1950, Joe married the love of his life, Jessie Ann (Jan) Beebe. Together, they built a life centered around family, faith in God, and serving others. They shared 62 years of marriage before Jan’s passing in 2012.

Joe was a remarkably hard worker who believed in staying busy and making himself useful. Following his military service, he began a 34-year career with the International Harvester Motor Truck Division. His dedication and success earned him numerous sales awards throughout his career, including memorable trips to Madrid, Spain and the Hawaiian Islands.

After leaving International Harvester, he continued working part-time for KCR International for another 15 years before finally “retiring.” Even then, Joe never truly slowed down. He always had a project underway and could often be found painting, taking care of a lawn, tackling a project around the house, or lending a hand at his daughter’s restaurant. Even in his final days, he enjoyed daily car rides around Wyandotte County Lake and through his old Strawberry Hill Neighborhood. He also enjoyed spending time outside on his back deck. More than anything, he spent his time helping others. If someone needed a hand, Joe was there.

He was also a gifted athlete with a lifelong love of baseball. As a young man, he played semi-professional baseball in the Jayhawk League for Cole Drug. He later continued his love of the game on the softball field, where one of his athletic accomplishments was pitching a no-hitter.

Joe’s Catholic faith was a guiding force throughout his life, attending daily mass for decades, living that faith through action. For 15 years, Joe and Jan served as the original coordinators for Christ the King’s involvement with St. Mary’s Food Kitchen. After stepping down as coordinators, they continued volunteering with the food kitchen for another 15 years, dedicating three decades to helping feed those in need.

Joe was also a member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society, St. Vincent de Paul, the Cursillo Movement, and generously gave his time and talents to numerous parish outreach projects. He worked alongside Fr. Richard Wempe to rehabilitate older residences to provide housing for men experiencing homelessness and was a dedicated volunteer at Shalom House, operated by Catholic Charities.

For many years, he made regular trips to local bakeries to collect leftover pastries and baked goods, which he then distributed to people in need. In ways both large and small, Joe truly lived his values of faith and service every day.

Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Jessie Ann (Jan) Beebe Baich; his parents, Mary Gojmerac Yankovich and George Baich; his five siblings, John, Anthony, George, and Matt Yankovich and Millie Ortego; his daughters, Kathleen Burdolski and JoAnn Beal; his infant daughter, Susan Baich; his son-in-law, Jerome Hundley; his grandson, Joel Reed; and his granddaughter, Shannon Beal.

Joe is survived by his children, Judy Hundley, Mary (Fred) Kropf, Steve (Angie) Baich, and Chris Baich, who shared his home and was a devoted presence in his daily life. He also leaves behind many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with extended family and friends who were blessed to know and love him.

Throughout his 99 years, he showed those around him what it meant to work hard, love family deeply, remain steadfast in faith, and devote one’s life to service for others. His was a long life, but more importantly, it was a life well lived. The countless people he helped, the family he loved, and the example he set will remain his enduring legacy.

Visitation and Rosary will be held on Wednesday, September 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Skradski Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 10, at 9:30 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shalom House or Christ the King Catholic Church in honor of Joe’s lifelong commitment to faith and service to

Joseph Benedict Baich passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on September 1, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Joe was born on March 12, 1927, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Mary Gojmerac Yankovich and George Baich. One of six children, Joe grew up on Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, Kansas, where he attended St. Anthony’s Grade School and Wyandotte High School. Before completing high school, he answered the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He served aboard the USS LCI-630 in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

In November 1950, Joe married the love of his life, Jessie Ann (Jan) Beebe. Together, they built a life centered around family, faith in God, and serving others. They shared 62 years of marriage before Jan’s passing in 2012.

Joe was a remarkably hard worker who believed in staying busy and making himself useful. Following his military service, he began a 34-year career with the International Harvester Motor Truck Division. His dedication and success earned him numerous sales awards throughout his career, including memorable trips to Madrid, Spain and the Hawaiian Islands.

After leaving International Harvester, he continued working part-time for KCR International for another 15 years before finally “retiring.” Even then, Joe never truly slowed down. He always had a project underway and could often be found painting, taking care of a lawn, tackling a project around the house, or lending a hand at his daughter’s restaurant. Even in his final days, he enjoyed daily car rides around Wyandotte County Lake and through his old Strawberry Hill Neighborhood. He also enjoyed spending time outside on his back deck. More than anything, he spent his time helping others. If someone needed a hand, Joe was there.

He was also a gifted athlete with a lifelong love of baseball. As a young man, he played semi-professional baseball in the Jayhawk League for Cole Drug. He later continued his love of the game on the softball field, where one of his athletic accomplishments was pitching a no-hitter.

Joe’s Catholic faith was a guiding force throughout his life, attending daily mass for decades, living that faith through action. For 15 years, Joe and Jan served as the original coordinators for Christ the King’s involvement with St. Mary’s Food Kitchen. After stepping down as coordinators, they continued volunteering with the food kitchen for another 15 years, dedicating three decades to helping feed those in need.

Joe was also a member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society, St. Vincent de Paul, the Cursillo Movement, and generously gave his time and talents to numerous parish outreach projects. He worked alongside Fr. Richard Wempe to rehabilitate older residences to provide housing for men experiencing homelessness and was a dedicated volunteer at Shalom House, operated by Catholic Charities.

For many years, he made regular trips to local bakeries to collect leftover pastries and baked goods, which he then distributed to people in need. In ways both large and small, Joe truly lived his values of faith and service every day.

Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Jessie Ann (Jan) Beebe Baich; his parents, Mary Gojmerac Yankovich and George Baich; his five siblings, John, Anthony, George, and Matt Yankovich and Millie Ortego; his daughters, Kathleen Burdolski and JoAnn Beal; his infant daughter, Susan Baich; his son-in-law, Jerome Hundley; his grandson, Joel Reed; and his granddaughter, Shannon Beal.

Joe is survived by his children, Judy Hundley, Mary (Fred) Kropf, Steve (Angie) Baich, and Chris Baich, who shared his home and was a devoted presence in his daily life. He also leaves behind many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with extended family and friends who were blessed to know and love him.

Throughout his 99 years, he showed those around him what it meant to work hard, love family deeply, remain steadfast in faith, and devote one’s life to service for others. His was a long life, but more importantly, it was a life well lived. The countless people he helped, the family he loved, and the example he set will remain his enduring legacy.

Visitation and Rosary will be held on Wednesday, September 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Skradski Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, September 10, at 9:30 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shalom House or Christ the King Catholic Church in honor of Joe’s lifelong commitment to faith and service to others.