Leonard R. Baker, 82, Mattoon, died Tuesday, May 03, 2016 at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, after a long battle with cancer.
He was born on August 28, 1933 in Mattoon, the son of the late Ralph and Polly (Rew) Baker.
Leonard served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1954 in Korea. He was a Battalion Supply Clerk and Company Clerk, 987th Field Artillery Battalion, which was located up in the Iron Triangle, above the 38th Parallel.
On June 4, 1960, Leonard was united in marriage to Kathryn Thompson in Wausau. She survives.
Leonard was a faithful member of the Mattoon Church of the Nazarene and served on the board for many years. He worked for 38 years at Wisconsin Timber and Land in Mattoon as a saw operator and panel inspector. He enjoyed word searches, bird watching, hunting and going for walks with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Baker, Mattoon; three sons, Scott Baker, Wausau, Kevin (Loretta) Baker, Antigo and Brian (Dianna) Baker, Spencer, WV; two daughters, Melanie (Jason) Sebranek, Wausau and Shannon (Shawn) Williams, Mattoon and 14 grandchildren, Whitney Williams, Wausau, Shania Williams, Shayla Williams, Hunter Williams, Dawson Williams, Zebediah Williams, Aaliyah Williams, all of Mattoon, Brianna Baker, Benjamin Baker, both of Spencer, WV, Joshua Baker, Jacob Baker, Isaac Baker, Abraham Baker, all of Antigo and Brooke Sebranek, Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He is also survived by one sister, Cora Hilbrand, Green Bay, his beloved Pomeranian, Snowball and many other relatives.
In addition to his parents, Leonard was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul and Stephen and one sister, Eunice.
The Funeral Service will be held at 5pm on Friday, May 6, 2016 at the Mattoon Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Mark Quinn will officiate. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, Town of Hutchins, with military rites conducted by the John Owen American Legion Post #287. Visitation will be from 3:30pm until the time of services on Friday at the church. Schmidt & Schulta Funeral Home, Birnamwood is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at schmidtschulta.com.
The family wishes to thank Leonard’s caregivers, the Spinal Cord Unit Staff, the ICU Staff and the many Doctors at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, who have given wonderful care over the years.