Daniel Earl Baker, aged 99 years and 4 months, passed on Friday June 19, 2026 at 6:07 pm at Alton Memorial Emergency Department, surrounded by his family.
Dan was born February 1, 1927 to George L and Eva (Smith) Baker at their farm south of Shipman. He resided west of Woodburn his entire life. He was the fourth of six brothers: Henry (Rosemary), Lloyd (Joy), Guy (Pauline), Roy (Audrey), and Robert (Dee Dee). His 3 sisters are Geneva (Paul) Quirk, Georgia (Larry) Bray, and Darlene (Lester) Large. Dan attended Shipman High School through his junior year then entered the Army in August of 1946, where he was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia. He served in Japan during the occupation as a paratrooper.
Dan married Marjory Ann Dunham on December 28, 1946. After discharge from the Army, Dan and Marjory moved to a 120-acre farm west of Woodburn. There they raised several thousand turkeys each year, which they dressed for holidays. They served as 4-H leaders and attended Shipman Methodist Church. Dan enjoyed flying a Cessna-170 plane. He also raised Black Angus Cattle, Chester White hogs and caged hens whose eggs he delivered to Alton and area towns to sell.
In his latest years he enjoyed collecting lanterns and Victrolas. He enjoyed going to auctions and yard sales looking for lanterns, Victrolas, and old farm related items to restore. He designed and built a miniature Ferris wheel and merry go rounds. He made log cabin banks and wooden bowls.
Dan helped his son Terry with farming until he was 90 years old. He always worked very hard and accomplished a lot, but he and Marjory enjoyed their family above all. They always had toys and activities for all the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most importantly, they gave the children their time.
Survivors are Diana Davis of Bunker Hill, Edward (Jerey) Baker of Brownsville Texas, and Terry (Jane) Baker of Bunker Hill. His 2 sisters Geneva Quirk of Shipman and Georgia Bray of Shipman.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and one sister, five-year-old son Richard in 1951 and, Thomas Martin at birth in 1958.
Grandchildren are Tonya Behl (Larry) Gibbs of Carlinville, Kim Baker of Las Vegas, Joseph (Amanda) Behl of Jerseyville, Eric (Amy) Baker of Lafayette Indiana, Brett Behl of Shipman, Brian Behl of Piasa, Jenny Baker (Ryan) Hanks of Shipman, Jonathan (Heejung) Baker of Brownsville Texas, Ben Ogborn of Lafayette Indiana, Tim (Sarah) Ogborn of Antioch Illinois, Katie Baker (Derek) Whalen of Brighton.
Dan was blessed with 21 great-grandchildren: Brayton, Lynde, Caden, Abigail, Olivia, Aubrey, Isabel, Jordan, Liam, Haven, Kaylee, McKenna, Kaitlyn, Ethan, Juyoung, Bugyeong, Trent, Jett, Rex, Tanner and Colby.
Funeral visitation will be at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill on June 24, 2026 from 9:00 to 11:30 with the funeral service to follow. Burial succeeds the service at Woodburn Cemetery where Dan will be laid to rest next to his wife and two sons.
Memorials are suggested to Bunker Hill Public Library and Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a mission devoted to the building and distribution of beds to local children.
