Submitted by: Dan Rich

Frederick E. Baker

Nov. 23, 1929 - Jan. 30, 2007

South Bend Tribune 2/1/2007

MISHAWAKA - Frederick E. Baker, 77, of Penn Road, passed away in his residence January 30, 2007, of natural causes. Fred was born in Rochester, Indiana, on November 23, 1929, to Ira and Edna (Felty) Baker.

On October 19, 1968, Fred was united in marriage with the former Ms. Patricia Gothard in South Bend, Indiana. Pat Baker survives along with their children, Casey Patterson Hale of Sacramento, California, Linda Hinkle, Martin (Laurie) Wade and Lori (Kent) Thielka, all of Mishawaka. Surviving as well are five grandchildren, Megan Hinkle, Eric Hinkle, Tim Thielka, Bobby Wade and Tara Thielka. Also surviving are three brothers, Waldo (Alta) Baker of LaPorte, Indiana, Paul (Jane) Baker of Elkhart, Indiana, and Ira Baker of LaOtto, Indiana; and a sister, LuEdith (Jack) Severns of Rochester, Indiana. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, and by a sister, Ethel Ruth Johnson.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 2, 2007, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola, IN 46561. Services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2007, in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, with interment to follow at Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Indiana.

Fred was a 1947 graduate of Rochester High School, and a graduate of Purdue University (Ft. Wayne). Fred served his country during the Korean War era, earning the Korean Service Medal with five bronze service stars, The Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and was a member of the 347th Army Band at Ft. Custer, Michigan. He was employed by Cole Associates of South Bend as an architect, was the co-owner of Baker's Bike Shop in Mishawaka, and then retired from Forsey Construction Inc. of South Bend. In his spare time, he enjoyed music, travel, photography, astronomy, collecting coins, gems, and minerals. His memberships include the Michiana Gem and Mineral Society. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.