Clarence F. Baker
Born: March 29th, 1920
Died: October 4th, 2005
Obituary
Clarence F. Baker, 85, of Burlington, died at 12:45 pm Tuesday, October 4, 2005, at the Great River Medical Center Klein Center.
Born March 29, 1920, in Centerville, IA, he was the son of Orville Ray and Anastasia Yore Baker. On September 4, 1949, he married Helen J. Bunch in Des Moines.
Mr. Baker was a salesman for Standard Oil Company, Martin-Marietta, and in later years was self-employed. He was a 1937 graduate of Centerville High School and a 1950 graduate of Drake University.
He was a staff sergeant in the US Air Force from 1940 to 1945 with combat duty in the South Pacific during WWII. He flew 53 missions and was shot down on his third mission in Japanese territory.
He was of the Protestant faith. He belonged to the 307th Bomb Group(Long Rangers) and was a former member of the Elks Club. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed attending his Air Force reunions, traveling to Australia and New Zealand, watching his grandchildren’s sporting events and watching their higher education.
Survivors include his wife, Helen; one daughter, Denise (Bill) Wozencraft of Arlington Heights, IL; four grandchildren, Scott, Beth, Jeff, and Mary; one sister, Bonnie Sherburne of Hollis, NH; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, and four sisters.
Visitation will begin after noon today at the Hass-Thielen Funeral Home until 7:00 PM There will be no family visitation.
The graveside committal service and interment for Mr. Baker will be at 10:30 AM Friday, October 7, in Aspen Grove Cemetery with the Rev. Tyrone C. Henderson officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Veterans Honor Guard, VFW Posts10102, 9162, American Legion Post 52, Hamilton-Walters Marine Corps League, and AMVETS Post 29.
A memorial has been established for Great River Hospice.