Russell Wayne Baker, 94, of Canal Township, died Thursday, January 2, 2014 at his residence following a lengthy illness.
Born, March 18, 1919 in Franklin , he was the son of Cecil and Margaret Reese Baker. He married Dermalyn Cotterman on October 2, 1948 and she preceded him in death on October 9, 1997.
He was a corporal with the US Army during World War II having served with the 445th Anti Aircraft Battalion, and received the European and African Campaign Medal as well as Good Conduct and WWII Victory Medal.
Returning from the war he worked as a lumberman with his family and also farmed raising cattle, horses and trained ponies. He also owned and drove school buses and enjoyed woodworking with his wife.
He was a member of the Utica Volunteer Fire Department and also worked for Canal Township and served as the Township Supervisor.
Survivors include a son Russell L. (Butch) Baker of Franklin and a daughter Kay Bell and her husband Larry of Cochranton. Four grandchildren, Rusty Baker and his wife Tami of Cochranton, Scott Baker and his companion Louise Plummer of Utica, Nicole Bell and friend Ryan Chmura of Hermitage and Traci Neely and her husband Brian of Utica. Two great grandchildren, Austin Plummer and Derek Baker a brother, Curtis Baker and his wife Marilyn of Cochranton, a daughter in law Andy Baker, and several nieces and nephews..
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Lawrence and his wife Peg, a sister Audrey Turner and her husband Grover and an infant sister Rollajolene and an infant brother Kenneth.
The family wish to extend a special thank you to Russell’s caregivers, Tom Cramer, Brenda and Sheena Goodman, Dana Foster, Chris Keith and Pat Bell.
Friends will be received at the Dickson Family Funeral Home Inc., 123 S. Franklin St. on Saturday from noon until time of the funeral service at 2:00pm with the Rev. Harrietta Serrins and Rev. Wayne Rapp, coofficiating.
Interment will be in Peters Cemetery, Canal Township, Venango County.
The family ask that memorials be made to the Utica Volunteer Fire Department, Box 83, Utica PA 16362 or Lupher Chapel United Methodist Church, Old Rte 322, Franklin.