Paul Franklin Baker, 96, Lagro, died at 5:55 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, at Miller’s Merry Manor East in Wabash. He was born March 17, 1923, in Lagro, to Frank and Janie (Moore) Baker.

Paul was a US Navy veteran, serving in WWII. He first married Elizabeth J. White on Jan. 17, 1953; she died in 1975. He then married Betty Good in April of 1978; she died in June 1991, and his longtime companion was Janette Gentner, who died in April 2014. Paul retired from Celotex in Lagro in 1985 after 38 years. He was a member of the Lagro American Legion Post 248, and the Wabash Eagles Lodge. Paul loved watching baseball, mushroom hunting, playing cards, and dancing.

He is survived by two children, Steven (Cindy) Baker and Becky Slagal, both of Lagro; two step children: Lonnie Good of North Manchester; and Connie Good of Wabash; five grandchildren: Laney (Joel) Case of Lagro; Tia (J.T.) Grindle of Amboy; Amanda (Greg) Goodpaster of Lagro; Joseph France of Wabash; and Jeremy (Shelly) France of Lagro; 14 great grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren, and his brother, Tommy Baker of Huntington.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, and 1 great grandson.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Nathan Whybrew officiating. Burial will be in Lagro Cemetery. Friends may call 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Preferred memorial is Animal Shelter of Wabash County.