"I am so lucky to have had Jerry Baker as a father. He was not only my Dad, but was also my best friend,number one role model, and hero. We will miss you but will never forget you. The memories of the good times will last forever. What an incredible human being. Thanks for being my Dad."
In loving memory of
Gerald K. Baker
June 28, 2012
Gerald K. "Jerry" Baker, age 90, of 725 S. 19th, died Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at 1:45 am in Good Samaritan Home.
Jerry was born December 17, 1921 in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Franklin W. and Hilda Kurk Baker. He married Dorothy Huston on July 16, 1949 in Macomb, Illinois. She survives.
Jerry graduated from Quincy High School in 1940. He was also a graduate of Gem City Business College. In 1942 he joined the United States Army where he was a proud member of the 29th Infantry Division. He participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy and fought with the 29th in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He was honorably discharged as a Sergeant on November 28, 1945.
After serving three years in Europe with the U.S. Army during World War II, he was employed January 2, 1946 as an Inventory Control Clerk when the Quincy paper mill was Central Fibre Products. When a Personnel Department was formed in 1948, he became the company's first Personnel Director and remained in that position after Packaging Corporation of America purchased the mill in 1959. He was later promoted to Sales Service and Traffic Manager in 1965. In 1973 the company was purchased by the Celotex Corporation, and he acquired the additional duties of Plant Purchasing.
Jerry was a long time member of Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ, where he had served on the church council, the ushers' group, the Couple's Club, and Salem Brotherhood. He was also a money counter and a greeter. He was especially active in the church hospital visitor program, and he was on the executive committee of the Under Shepherd program. Jerry served on the Greenmount Cemetery board for nine years.
In addition, he was a member of the 29th Division Association, a 50-year member of American Legion Post #37, and Herman Lodge #39 AF & AM. He was a former member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Industrial Association, Personnel Club, and Quincy Management Club.
Jerry was a sports enthusiast and a long-time Blue Devil fan and season ticket holder. He coached and managed little league teams for many years. He enjoyed traveling and attending family activities with love and pride.
In addition to his wife, survivors include: his son, Steven (Lynda) Baker of Quincy; his daughter, Kathy (Terry) Anastas of Quincy; three grandsons: Michael (Erin) Baker of Quincy; Nathan Anastas (Ashley Petty) of Decatur, IL; and Nicholas Anastas of San Francisco, CA; a great grandson, Ethan Baker; and two nieces: Dianne (Rick) Balmer of LaHarpe, IL; and Donna (Wendell) Cunningham of Quincy; and a sister-in-law, Frances Huston of LaHarpe, IL.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson in infancy; and two cousins, Gladys and Dorothy, with whom he was raised.
Services: 10:00 am Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ, with Rev. Wanda Seydel and Chaplain James Riley officiating.
Burial: Greenmount Cemetery
Visitation: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Monday July 2, 2012 at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home
Memorials: Salem Evangelical United Church of Christ or Good Samaritan Home
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"We enjoyed the time we spent together at Salem Church. We are sorry for the great loss your family is experiencing. We will miss him and our deepest sympathy goes to the family. I will miss seeing the family at Good Sam. God Bless Gary and Joanne Dedert"
"Jerry was a wonderful man. I enjoy the time I worked with him and all of his wonderful stories and he always had a joke to tell. He will be greatly missed. Our sincere sympathy to the family."
"My Dad, Eugene "Red" Nooe worked with Jerry at the Central Fibre plant for many years. My brother "Ki" also worked at the plant. They both thought Jerry was the "best of the best". I remember when I broke my ankle playing basketball at Quincy High School and Jerry came to the school to take me to the clinic because my Dad was out of town that day. We all have good memories of Jerry. With kindest thoughts and deepest sympathy, the Eugene Nooe family."
"Dear Dorothy and family, We had great admiration for Jerry as well as his fine family. It is sad to learn of the passing of such a fine person and friend to so many. His legacy, especially his positive influence at Salem, will be felt for many years. We hope the loving memories of life with a caring husband, father and grandfather will temper the sadness which lingers. God's Blessings! Dick & Fern Heitholt"
"We are so sorry for the loss of your husband and father, Jerry. We reallly enjoyed our time with him at Salem Church. He will be missed by all, our deepest sympathy."