James Baker

JAMES R. BAKER 66, of Bellaire, passed away quietly on Sat. Feb. 16, 2008, surrounded by his loving family at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. He was born July 22, 1941 in Monroe the son of George and Mary (Nixon) Baker. Jim served as the Bellaire Police Chief for 22 years retiring in 1994. He also served on the Bellaire District Fire Department for 22 years, several as Chief. He was active in his community serving currently on the Village Council and the Fire Board. A past Antrim County Commisioner he also was a member of the Bellaire Masonic Lodge, the American Legion and had worked for the Olds Ambulance Service. He proudly served in the US Air Force from 1961 to 1965 later becoming a private pilot. He loved hunting with his grandchildren and training them in gun safety. On March 23, 1960 in LaSalle he married Sandra VanDorn who survives. Also surviving are two daughters Patricia (Bryan) Graham of Bellaire, Charlotte (Robert) Perrine of Central Lake, nine siblings, George (Sara) Baker, Carol (Denny) Hazen, Andrea (Joe) Hamilton all of Newport, Bonnie (Robert) Clukey, Eugene (Paula) Baker, Karen (Robert) Cooley all of Monroe, Jerry (Wanda) Baker of Eaton Rapids, Mary Jane Lawery of Carleton, Joseph (Sue) Baker of Bellaire, five grandchildren, Nathan, Nicole, Misty, James and Roger, two great grandaughters Mackenzie and Anvia, many nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Jim very much. He was preceded in death by his parents and a daughter Terri Louise. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008 at Eleven a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church with Fr. James Gardener officiating. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes where a Masonic service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Interment will take place in the spring with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Please sign our online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com.