Larry Eugene Baker

Larry Eugene Baker, 80, Pierceton, died at 6:42 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, at Parkview Whitley Hospital, Columbia City.

He was born Sept. 11, 1942, in Warsaw, to Wilber and Cora (Marvel) Baker. On Feb. 2, 1964, he was married to Mary Diane Faulkner. They were blessed with two children and shared 56 years of marriage together before she died Dec. 25, 2020.

Larry was a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, where he was a 1960 graduate of Warsaw High School. Upon graduating he started working at R.R. Donnelly & Sons in Warsaw. He was always a reliable hard worker and accomplished his apprenticeship as a pressman and worked there until his retirement.

But retirement never slowed Larry down, he enjoyed cutting wood and selling it to campers. He baled hay with local farmers, loved spending a good day mushroom hunting and, of course, enjoyed playing cards with anyone. Everyone also knew that Larry loved watching all kinds of sports and was a huge NASCAR fan. He spent many years racing at the Warsaw Speedway with his brothers and enjoying their company. Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend to many. He will be dearly missed by all.

He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Aleta (Chauncey) Smith, Pierceton; five grandchildren, Dustin (Carla) Baker, Brooks (Tyler) Smith, Jared (Taylor) Smith, Christopher (Rachel) Baker and Heather (Matt) Baker; and 11 great-grandchildren, Greyson, Vanessa, Maverick, Emma, Makenna, Porter, Colton, Morgan, Ethyn, Jayce and Ayden. Also surviving are three brothers, Jerry Baker, Pierceton, Garry Baker, Warsaw and Terry (Gloria) Baker, Silver Lake; two sisters, Lorraine (Doug) Green, North Webster and Melanie Burkett, Warsaw; and his brother-in-law, Devon (Linda) Faulkner, Warsaw. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Diane Baker; brother, Danny Baker; and his son, Shawn Baker.

There will be a gathering of friends and family from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw. Burial will take place at a later date at Hillcrest Cemetery, Pierceton.

Memorial donations may be directed to American Cancer Society, 5635 W. 96th St. Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46278.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.