Jack L Baker

Jack L Baker, 83, North Manchester, Indiana, formerly of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away on November 21, 2020 at Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester. Jack was born just east of North Manchester on November 19, 1937 to the late John L. and Ruby V. (Westafer) Baker. The fifth oldest of eight children, Jack loved the times he and his siblings worked together in the family’s large garden and relaxed by eating homemade ice cream with relatives.

Jack graduated from Chester High School in 1956 and from Manchester College in 1960, receiving a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Secondary Education. Jack later furthered his education and received his Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Ball State University in 1967. He shaped young minds in Business Education at Warsaw High School for eleven years before moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he taught at Wayne High School for twenty-seven years before retiring in 1998. Jack was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, and after retiring from teaching he volunteered his time for hospice in Fort Wayne for two years.

Jack married his high school sweetheart, Betty L. Williams, on November 23, 1957. The two were wed for fifty-five years before Betty passed away on April 1, 2013. During their blissful life together, Jack and Betty had four children, Dawn, Greg, Jon, and Amie.  When the children were young, the family took a camping trip every summer, visiting national parks. Jack and Betty enjoyed traveling together, taking trips to Europe, Washington D.C., and Big Bend National Park in Texas, an extra special place for them. On Sundays Jack and Betty attended Emmanuel Community Church, Fort Wayne, where they were members.

The loving memory of Jack L. Baker will be forever cherished by his sons, Greg A. (Samantha) Baker, LaOtto, Indiana, Jon L. (Tricia) Baker, Bluffton, Indiana; daughters, Dawn M. (Aaron) Green, Greenville, Ohio, and Amie L. Baker, Fort Wayne, Indiana; brothers, Buford and Jim Baker, both of North Manchester; sisters, Peggy Workman, North Manchester, Judy (Dennis) Carlson, Middlebury, Indiana, Linda (Mike) Sumpter, Warsaw, and Debbie Gay, Columbia City; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother, Russell Baker.

Family and friends may call Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. A celebration of Jack's life will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Chaplain Laura Stone officiating.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Jack L. Baker, memorial contributions may be made to the Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 501, North Manchester, Indiana 46962 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 East 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240.

Arrangements are entrusted to McKee Mortuary.