Guy L. Baker

February 14, 2011 Marion- Guy L. Baker, Jr., 84, of Marion, passed away at 5:19 Am, Monday, February 14, 2011 at Heartland Regional Medical Center. Visitation will be from 5-8:00 PM, Thursday, February 17, 2011 at Blue Funeral home in Marion. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, February 18, 2011 at Blue Funeral Home in Marion with the Reverend Jerry Schell officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Marion. Military rites will be performed at the graveside by the Marion VFW and American Legion Posts with assistance from the Illinois National Guard. Memorial donations are suggested to the Bald Knob Cross or the Marion Ministerial Alliance. Envelopes are available at the Funeral Home or may be sent C/O Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL, 62959. Guy was born on May 21, 1926 in Black, MO to Guy L. & Beatrice (Miller) Baker, Sr. He married Helen Marie Penrod in September of 1951 in Elgin, IL. She preceded him in death on January 4, 1985. He married Sue Horten in September of 1985 in Marion. She preceded him in death in 1997. Later, he married Carolyn Taylor on April 6, 2003 in Marion. She survives of Marion. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Baker of Marion; children, Melanie A. Jones and husband Gary, Martin D. Baker and wife Mary J., Joseph L. Baker and wife Leana K. all of Marion; step-children Charles E. Hileman and wife Angela, Timothy W. Hileman and wife Cindie all of Sikeston, MO, Valerie C. Hancock and husband Scott of Amman, Jordan; grandchildren, Heather Dawn Jansen and husband John, Samuel Alexander Patchett, III and wife Gina, Daniel Jones and wife Andrea, Lori J. McGuire and husband Daniel B., Hollie M. Baker, Ryan M. Baker, John D. Crossley, Elijah J. Baker, Hannah E. Baker; step-grandchildren, Audrey & Patricia Hileman, Joshua & Jordan Hileman, Victoria & Nicholas Hancock; 12 great grandchildren; 4 step-great grandchildren; sister, Georgia McCormick and husband Bob of Carbondale; brothers, Dale A. Baker and wife Cora of Marion, Robert Baker and wife Barbra of Troy, John Baker and wife Coral and Ronald Baker and wife Joyce all of Marion; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wives, grandchild, Shaun Lee Jones and an infant brother and sister. He was a US Army Veteran and served as a drill instructor at Ft. Knox and later as a tank gunner in Korea during the Korean War. He served courageously and received the Purple Heart for injuries received during meritorious battle. Once honorably discharged, he returned home and began working as an inspector for DX Petroleum, which became Sunoco. He was charged with making sure the stations were ready to operate. He next worked as a sawyer at his own logging business for many years. He worked at Tempo (now Rural King) in sales and Associated Lumber in Carbondale, but retired as a sales agent for Country Companies Farm Bureau after many years. He was a Baptist having formerly belonged to West Boulevard Baptist Church in Marion. He was a former member of the Masonic Lodge and a member of the Marion Veterans of Foreign Wars. He and Carolyn enjoyed country western dancing and he was proud that he could do the Hillbilly Shuffle and the Missouri Stomp. He loved to garden, especially roses, and watch birds. He was a beekeeper and followed the St. Louis and Louisville Cardinals. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.