grave import

Obituary

Vernon G. "Tony" Baker, 53, of Omaha, Neb., formerly of Burlington, died at 2:01 a.m. Sunday, August 9, 1998, at Burlington Medical Center. Born February 16, 1945, in Fort Madison, he was the son of Vernon and Mary Newman Baker. Mr. Baker was a graduate of Burlington High School, where he participated in football, basketball, and track. He was a U.S. Army veteran. He attended Iowa State University in Ames, where he played football for the ISU Cyclones in 1964 and 1965. He was a retired National Football League player, having played for the New Orleans Saints in 1969, Philadelphia Eagles in 1971, Los Angeles Rams in 1973, and ended his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers in 1975. He was a member of the NFL Players Association, Omega Phi Psi Fraternity, and was inducted into the Iowa High School Football Hall of Fame in the early 1980s. Survivors include three sons, Mark Baker, Brent Baker, and Anthony Baker, all of Burlington; one sister, Darlene Baker of Burlington; one brother, David Baker of Riverside, Calif.; former spouse, Laura Baker of West Burlington; two stepsisters, Lora Turner of Burlington and Janice Clarke of Camden, N.J.; six grand- children; one uncle, George Newman of Burlington; several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Prugh Chapel. The funeral for Mr. Baker will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Burlington, with the Rev. Harold Davis officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery, with military rites conducted by VFW Post 10102 of Burlington. A memorial has been established for the Vernon G. "Tony" Baker Athletic Scholarship Fund for Burlington Community High School.