Verne E. Baker

Jan. 13, 1926-Dec. 31, 2005

Verne E. Baker, 79, Avon, formerly of Greencastle, died Saturday at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Born in Anderson, he was the son of Walter and Florence (Smith) Baker.

A 1944 graduate of Anderson High School, he earned his bachelor's degree in business and marketing from Indiana University in 1950.

He had been a manager at P.R. Mallory in Greencastle for 20 years, retiring in 1987. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Greencastle, active in Gideons, a member of Greencastle Kiwanis Club, and attended Plainfield First Christian Church.

He married Madge M. Risk on Nov. 7, 1953. She survives.

Also surviving are a son, Rex Baker and wife Pam, Brownsburg; daughter, Becky Keck and husband Jeff, Brownsburg; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Donald Baker.

Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church, Greencastle, with Rev. Paul Bowen officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Greencastle.

Visitation is 9 a.m. until service time Tuesday.

Memorial contributions can be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, Ohio, 44720, or the Gideons, P.O. Box 204, Greencastle, 46135.

Condolences may be e-mailed to inbth@keystonegroup.com.