Arnold Baker

CHARLESTON - Arnold U. Baker, 77, died at 3:45 a.m. Jan. 27, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Born Feb. 20, 1926, in Wyatt, son of the late Lindsey G. and Opha Mae Kennedy Baker, he lived in Mississippi County all his life and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was bus garage supervisor for East Prairie R-2 Schools and attended the First Church of God in East Prairie.

On Dec. 21, 1946, he married Patty Louise Baker who survives of the home.

Other survivors include: three sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Mollie Jo Baker of Lakeland, Fla., Steve and Debbie Baker of Sikeston and Danny and Cheryl Baker of Charleston; one daughter and son-in-law, Melinda and Randy Cave of Charleston; two brothers, Lindsey Baker Jr. of Charleston and Alfred Baker of Marion, Ill.; six sisters, Hazel Lee of Waxahachie, Texas, Ruth Ann Robinson of Park Hills, Bobbie Cartiva of Arnold, Rita Walker of Streetman, Texas, Mary Simpkins of Charleston and Alice Modica of Annabelle; and 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by one brother, three sisters and one granddaughter.

Visitation begins at 4 p.m. today at Shelby Funeral Home.

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at the First Church of God in East Prairie with Martin Lucas officiating.

Burial will follow in East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons: Daniel Benjamin Baker, David Baker, Aaron Russell, Galon Baker, Justin Baker and Steven Baker Jr.