August 15, 1943 – March 4, 2020
Kenneth L. Baker, 76, Bluffton, Ind., passed away Wednesday morning, March 4, 2020, at Bluffton Regional Medical Center. He was born August 15, 1943 in Lebanon to Leroy Paul and Mava Gene (Wallace) Baker, who preceded him in death.
He married Betty S. Fraze on February 18, 1966 in Noblesville.
Kenneth served his country in the United States Marine Corp. from 1961 to 1965 and again from 1973 to 1975. He also served in the National Guard Armory from 1977 to 1982 and in Desert Storm from 1991 to 1992.
Ken retired in September 2009 from the Bluffton Fire Department with 31 years of service as Fire Inspector. Kenneth also served as the jail commander of the Wells County Sheriff Department from 1986 to 1988 and was a Bluffton Volunteer Firefighter from 1971 to 1978.
Kenneth was a former member of the Bluffton Kiwanis Club where he served as past president and past lieutenant governor of the Wabash Valley District. He was a member of the Fire Inspector’s Association of America and had served as their past president. Other memberships included the American Legion Post #111, American Legion Amateur Radio Club, and the Wells County Amateur Radio Club. He enjoyed spending time building and launching model rockets, Radio Controlled Aircrafts and Amateur Radio.
He is survived by his wife, Betty S. Baker, Bluffton; daughter, Julie L. (Joe) Smith, Bluffton; sister, Nancy L. Urban, Sheridan; brother, Michael D. (Yolanda) Baker, Scottsdale, Ariz.; and grandchildren, Elizabeth B. and Gabriel A. Smith, both of Bluffton.
A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 4, 2020 at St. Luke Church, 4960 W. 100 N., Decatur, Ind., with Pastor Mike Wertenberger officiating. A dinner will follow the service. Preferred memorials are to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or St. Luke Church Building Fund.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the online guestbook, visit zwickjahn.com.
Arrangements
Celebration of Life: 10:30 a.m., April 4
Location: St. Luke Church, Decatur
Condolences: zwickjahn.com