Calling(s)

Tuesday, September 01, 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Young Family Funeral Home - Kendallville Chapel

Wednesday, September 02, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Trinity Church United Methodist, 229 South State Street, Kendallville

Service

Wednesday, September 02, 11:00 AM Trinity Church United Methodist, 229 South State Street, Kendallville

Obituary

David H. Baker, 91, of Kendallville died Saturday, August 29, 2020, at Parkview Noble Hospital in Kendallville

He was born February 9, 1929, in Kendallville to Laurence D. and Frances E. (Johnston) Baker.

He attended Riley Street Elementary School and Kendallville High School, graduating in 1946. This is the time period that he met his best friend and soon to be partner for life, Norma Jean France.

After high school, Dave followed in his Dad's footsteps and distinguished himself at Indiana University from 1946 to 1950. During his time in Bloomington not only was he busy with classroom work, he enjoyed fraternity life and University activities such as being a member of the Union Board. In his spare time he worked on his family's peony farms on the west edge of Bloomington and in Corydon, Indiana.

After graduating from I.U. Dave came back to Kendallville and soon married his high school sweetheart, Norma Jean France on September 10, 1950.

Dave worked at Baker's Peony Farm and Baker's Orchard during the day and sold insurance in the evening to help make ends meet. The first of six children arrived in June of 1951.

Dave was always thinking of others and how he could serve. That concern for others led him to a lifetime of volunteering and service. Some of his many activities that benefited the Kendallville area were being a lifelong Trinity Church United Methodist member, serving on most committees, including being chairman of the building committee in 1992.

Dave was a lifetime member of the Kendallville Rotary Club, living by the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self". Other activities included being an original member of Kendallville Factory Sites, Inc. and an East Noble School Board member at the time of consolidation in the mid to late 1960's. He was also on the Cole Foundation Board, the Kendallville Day Care Board and was appointed to the State of Indiana Commission for Higher Education in the 1970's. In addition, he was involved in Community Concerts and was one of organizers for the KHS all class reunions. In 1970, Dave was honored by the Kendallville Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year.

Dave received great joy and satisfaction from his family and his work. In 1969 the family business was incorporated and was known as Bakers' Fruit and Flower Farm. This truly was a family business, one that all family and extended family members worked at one time or another. Bakers' served the area for many years with pick your own apples, fresh produce and fresh flowers. Dave was very proud of the number of high school students that got their first work experience at "the Farm". That original business evolved into what is now Bakers' Market and Bakers' Flowers and Gifts.

One of Dave's most enjoyable jobs over the years was delivering flowers. He took great pleasure in putting a smile on someone's face or giving comfort to someone with a delivery of flowers. Service above self.

Surviving are two sons, Brad (Charna) Baker of Kendallville and Brian (Doris) Baker of Kendallville; four daughters, Barb (Eric) Burkhardt of Fort Wayne, Beth (Noah) Miller of Columbia South Carolina, Brenda (Mike) Jansen of Kendallville, and Becky (Paul) Brown of Kendallville; 12 grandchildren, Rob (Lisa) Baker, Drew (Ashley) Baker, Cal Baker, Nik (Beth) Burkhardt, Nate (Kayla) Burkhardt, Sarah Baker, Emily (Tim) Ryan, Riley (Joyce) Hedge, Melinda (Joel) Pippenger, Kevin (Amanda) Jansen, Claire Brown, and Heidi Speicher; 17 great-grandchildren, with another on the way; a sister-in-law, Betty Preston of Kendallville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Baker on January 15, 2018, a grandson, Cory Brown, on January 4, 2017.; and a sister Carolyn Moses.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 2, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Church United Methodist, 229 South State Street, Kendallville with the Reverend Dan Barker officiating. Burial will follow at Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

Calling is Tuesday, September 1, 2020, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville and one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. . Per the Governor of Indiana, face masks are required.

Preferred memorials are to the Cory A. Brown Memorial Fund in care of the Community Foundation of Noble County, 1599 Lincolnway South, Ligonier, Indiana, 46767, or to Trinity Church United Methodist.

View a video tribute after Tuesday or share memories and condolences at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com