Deane W. Baker

Deane W. Baker, 73, 15188 Union St., Burr Oak, died at 12:20 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 2002 , at Walnut Creek Care Center , Plymouth . Deane was a lifetime Marshall County resident.

He was born on Oct. 16, 1928 , in Plymouth , the son of Ray O. and Jessie M. Turner Baker. A 1946 graduate of LaPaz High School , he had also attended classes at Valparaiso University . Deane served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, during the Korean Conflict, and was a lifetime member of the Plymouth V.F.W. Post 1162. A police officer for many years, Deane served in the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriff’s Harvey Phillips and Jerry Greenlee. He had also worked for the Plymouth Police Department. After his police career, he continued to work for the City of Plymouth in various Utility departments. He later retired from the Culver Military Academy as a grounds keeper. An avid hunter and fisherman, Deane also loved to grow things in his garden, sharing his produce with family and friends. Deane is survived by two daughters and their families. They are Deena K. Newcomer, Nappanee, and her children: Brett, Shannon and Samantha Burroughs and Tyler Newcomer. His second daughter, Lisa A. and William Norris, of Plymouth , are the parents of three children: Deane and Malisa Norris and Bill III, father of Deane’s great-grandson, Koleman Norris.

He is also survived by his special companion, Babe Anderson of Burr Oak, and her children Lynette, Susan and Jon, and a sister, Alyce and her husband Fawn Fritz of South Bend. Deane was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Glen and Stanley Baker and two sisters, Erma Suter and Wilma Beyler. There will be no visitation, Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 11th, at Fairmont Cemetery , Plymouth , with the Rev. Tony Schneiders, pastor of Walnut Church of the Brethren, officiating. Memorial gifts may be made to the Heritage Trust Fund, for the preservation of Wildlife, or to the American Cancer Society.