DONALD C. BAKER

Donald C. Baker, 87, of the Illinois Veteran's Home died at 6:20 pm Sunday (February 7, 2010) in the home.

Born July 28, 1922 in Adams County, IL Don was the son of Carl and Mary Zengel Baker. He married Marjorie A. Kill on February 16, 1943 in Quincy. She preceded him in death on November 5, 2005.

Don was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, the St. Mary's Holy Name Society and the Minute Men Group at the church. He was also the Boy Scout Master of St. Mary's Troop 36 and was the counselor for the wood working merit badge. He was also a member of Quincy American Legion Post Number 37 and the DAV. Volunteerism was Don's middle name. He was a member of the Mart Heinen Club and was named worker of the year in 1998. He also ushered for 20 years at the Quincy University Basketball games. He served as secretary and usher of the Fathers and Friends, and was a barbecue cook at Christian Brothers High School and a member of the athletic booster club at Quincy Notre Dame. He and his wife Margie were active volunteers at the Illinois Veteran's Home for over 42 years. There activities included bingo, chairman gifts to the Yanks, and Christmas gift wrapping for the veterans. Don also helped to re-goldleaf the names on the World War II memorial at the veteran's home. He enjoyed camping, fishing, traveling and growing and selling popcorn from his popcorn patch. He dearly loved his family and especially enjoyed going to all his granchildren's games and activities. He served his country in the Army Air Force during World War II in the European Theater and Italy. He received the Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the European-African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one silver battle star and three bronze battle stars.

After World War II Don was employed in his brother's small engine shop in Quincy and on the family farm. He later owned and operated a gas station in West Quincy for several years. He then worked for the W.C. Holzgrafe Company for several years and then at Moorman Manufacturing Company for 15 years until his retirement.

Survivors include one son Thomas Baker and his wife Kathy of Quincy, one son in law Robert Mast of Quincy; six grandchildren Deborah Walker and her husband Andy of Macomb, Brian Mast and his wife Andi of Andalusia, IL, Melissa "Missy" Myers and her husband Kirsten of Quincy, Quinn Baker and her fiance' Gabe Briscoe of Quincy, Daniel Baker and fiancee' Stephanie Mitchell of Bloomington, IL and Greg Mast of Quincy; also surviving is nine great grandchildren Ethan Walker, Payton Mast, Vaughn Myers, Luke Mast, Eden Myers, Aurora Myers, Donovan Briscoe, Evan Briscoe, and Erick Bevins; two sisters Helen Baker and Pauline Richmiller both of Quincy and 10 nieces and nephews.

Mr. Baker was preceded in death by his parents, wife Margie and one daughter Patricia Mast.

Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10:00 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home and at 10:30 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Rev. Don Knuffman officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with full military honors conducted by Quincy American Legion Post Number 37.

Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 and Thursday morning until 10:00 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Illinois Veteran's Home Activity Fund or to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.