This memorial website was created to remember James Baker who was born in Illiopolis, Illinois on May 10, 1923 and passed away on July 22, 2008. He will live forever in our memories and hearts.
James W. “Jim” Baker, 85, of Peoria, formerly of Morris, IL, passed away at 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, with his loving family by his side.
Jim was born on May 10, 1923, in Illiopolis, the son of James E. and Elizabeth Kaylor Baker. He married Mary Katherine Hume on June 20, 1952 at the home of her parents, Charles and Lillie Hume, in Wauponsee Township, Grundy County, IL. She preceded him in death on August 23, 1996. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one daughter, Catherine Sue, in 1973.
Jim was educated in the schools of Illiopolis and graduated from Illiopolis High School with the class of 1941. He was a U.S. Navy World War II Veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations aboard the USS Shangri La.
He farmed his entire life, first in Illiopolis and then in Wauponsee Township in Grundy County. He took great pleasure in raising cattle, reading and traveling worldwide.
James was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Morris.
He is survived by one daughter, Christine Baker of Morris; two sons, James H. (Andrea) Baker and Thomas C. (Debbie) Baker, both of Morris; four grandchildren, Peter J. (Tracey) Baker of Morris, Holly E. (Thomas) Almanza of Michigan City, IN, Katherine E. (Timothy) Shimp of Sugar Grove and Kyle Baker of Chicago; one great granddaughter, Ella Grace Almanza of Michigan City; one sister, Dorothy Bruntjen of Illiopolis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2008, at U.C. Davis and Sons Funeral Home, LTD., 301 W. Washington St. in Morris. Private funeral services will be on Saturday, June 26, 2008, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Steven Cook officiating. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, with full military honors provided by the Morris Color Guard.
Memorial gifts in Jim’s memory can be directed to the Evenglo Alzheimers Inn or the First United Methodist Church of Morris.
Local arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home in Peoria.
For further information or assistance, please call 815-942-0084.
