David Lee Baker

Leave a message of condolence

David Lee Baker, 87, of Shelby, went peacefully to his eternal home in heaven on Thursday, December 24, surrounded by family at home.

Dave was born in Rome, Ohio, on October 1, 1933, to Maurice and Margaret Vione (Backensto) Baker. A 1951 graduate of Plymouth High School, he lived in the Plymouth and Shelby area his entire life. He married Sandra Kidd on September 1, 1957, and they spent 63 years together raising their four children.

He retired from Shelby Business Forms after spending over forty years as a press operator there while also working on the family farm for many years. Dave was also an active member of The First Lutheran Church in Plymouth.

Dave loved nothing more than supporting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in their various activities. He could be found attending weekly ballgames or school concerts cheering on those he loved. If he wasnt at one of those events, he could usually be found working in his yard, tending to his large garden, or following the Cleveland Indians. In earlier years, Dave and Sandy were members of the Star Promenaders square dance club.

The familys many trips to The Outer Banks, North Carolina (where as many as twenty-seven family members would make a lifetime of memories in a large beach house) were some of Daves cherished vacation memories. Trips to southern plantations and the Cleveland Indians spring training sites were among his favorite destinations. Being from a large farm family, events such as the annual family Turtle Fry, butchering livestock weekends, and family reunions were important traditions to him.

Dave was a survivor of various health issues over his adult life, defeating four different types of cancer and battling a lung disease in the last years of his life.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; their four children: Daniel (Lynn) Baker, Michael (Jackie) Baker, Michele Baker, and Tom (Julie) Baker; nine grandchildren: Brock (Shilo) Baker, Libby Baker, Collin (Liz) Baker, Joel (Danielle) Baker, Brandon (Berta) Baker, Niki Baker, Emily Baker, Cassie Baker, and Adam Baker; six great-grandchildren: Samuel Baker, Zoe Baker, Braylin Baker, Trevor Oakley, Gaven Oakley, and Kendall Oakley; and siblings: Donna Jean (the late William) Kamann, Bettie (the late Larry) Vredenburgh, Maurice Jr., Dixie (John) Hart, Vickie Resendez (Dave Fidler), and Cindy (Doug) Smith. He is also survived by a large number of nieces and nephews and their families.

In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Earle Duane (Butch).

Secor Funeral Home in Plymouth is assisting with funeral arrangements. Due to the current pandemic, a private family service will be held on Tuesday, December 29. Pastor Blanche Tyree of Plymouth First Lutheran Church and family friend Pastor Mike Weaver (retired) will co-officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make a memorial contribution to Ohio Health Hospice which helped to take care of Dave in his final weeks. Donations can be made online at this site: foundation.ohiohealth.com/giving where you can choose the designation for either Mansfield or Shelby. Or you can mail a donation to the following address. Please designate on your check either Mansfield or Shelby to direct the funds locally. OhioHealth Foundation, OhioHealth David P. Blom Administrative Campus, 3430 OhioHealth Parkway, Columbus, OH 43202.

Memorial contributions can also be made to Daves favorite charity, St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital. You can donate online at stjude.org or mail a donation to ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be made to Dave's family by visiting www.secorfuneralhomes.com