Gary L Baker
(March 29, 1937 – July 16, 2010)
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2010 in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville with Rev. Kathy Lewis and Rev. C.W. Lewis officiating. Visitation from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Monday. Burial will be in Hubbartt Cemetery, Beecher City, IL. Memorials may be given to Mode United Methodist Church.
Gary was born on March 29, 1937 at Lithia Springs in Shelby County, Illinois, the son of Clyde Orval and Jewell Lorrine Rose Baker. He graduated from Stewardson-Strasburg High School in the Class of 1954 and served in the United States Army Reserves. Gary worked for Firestone in Decatur until his retirement. He was a member of Mode United Methodist Church and was a lay minister for several years. Gary liked to travel, was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed playing and singing country music. He married Darlene Reed on July 19, 1960.
Surviving are his wife, Darlene; son, Brian Baker and wife Lori of Mode, IL; daughter, Shelly Baker of Mattoon, IL; sisters, Betty Rhodes of Mattoon, IL, Rosalie Bersig of Effingham and Marilyn Pruemer and husband Jerry of Effingham; grandchildren, Brianna Baker, Boone Baker, Ian Grzelak, Aubrie Hout and Averie Hout; and step-grandchildren, Dalton Waschle and Kiah Waschle.
He was preceded in death by his parents.