Joseph II

Joseph H. Baker II, 32 of Bellaire, died Fri. Jan. 21, 2011. He was born Apr. 26, 1978 in Monroe, MI, the son of Joseph H. Baker and Angela M. Reaume. Joe grew up and graduated from Bellaire High School in 1996. Upon graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army and planned to retire in 5 years. He was a combat engineer and served 2 tours in Iraq. Joe was also a member of the Bellaire Fire Dept. for the last 10 years and the South Torch Lake Fire Dept. He was an EMT and loved serving people in all that he did. Joe enjoyed riding Harley Davidson motorcycles, firefighting, horseback riding, and LIFE! On May 23, 2009, he married Candace A. Barber who survives. He is also survived by his father and stepmother Joe (Sue) Baker of Bellaire, his mother and stepfather Angela (Mike) Smith of Alexandria, VA, his stepdaughter Kaitlyn M. Knaus of Waterford, his brother David (Alisha) Baker of Traverse City, sisters Diane Baker of Alexandria, VA, Brandi Evans of Lake Lure, NC, maternal grandmother Marilyn Reaume of Newport, nieces and nephews Anthony, Alexis, Rylan, Mystina, Makayla, and David Michael Leroy. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, uncle Jim, father in law David Barber and a special angel. Funeral services with military honors will be held Fri. Jan. 28, 2011 at Eleven a.m. at St. Luke Catholic Church in Bellaire. Pastor Bruce Standfest and Pastor Dan Biteman will officiate. The family will receive friends Thurs. Jan. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Bellaire Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Graveside services with full military honors will take place on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at Helena Township Cemetery in Alden. Memorial donations may be directed to the Bellaire Fire Department or the South Torch Lake Fire Department. Please sign his online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com