Donald F. Baker, 83, of Galion passed away Friday, March 9, 2018 at the Lewis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Medical Center, Cleveland after an extended illness.
He was born March 3, 1935 in Hazard, Kentucky as was the son of Farmer and Bodie (Campbell) Baker. Donald is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce Ann (Whitlow) Baker whom he met at a church in Washington, D.C.
Donald was a 1954 graduate of Hamilton High School and later attended culinary school. He proudly served his country in the United States Army where he met Elvis. Don worked as a chef for the Jolly Green Giant Restaurant in Chicago and moved to Galion where he bought Jerry’s Colonial Restaurant. During his 33 years of owning Jerry’s, he changed the name to Jerry’s Americana Café and Don would sell the business in 2006. While owning Jerry’s he and Joyce owned the Heritage Inn on the square.
He attended Gospel Baptist Church in Galion, and was a past member of the Galion Rotary Club and past board member of the Galion Community Center. Don loved horses and would travel with his horses and family to different horse shows around the country. He also enjoyed buying and selling antiques and going to auctions.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Collette (Norm) Mease of Galion and Donna Joy Baker Florida; son Kevin (Jenny) Baker of Owensboro, Kentucky; 13 grandchildren and one expected; one great-grandchild; brothers Farmer Baker of Cleveland, Glen “Duke” (Susan) Baker of Hamilton and Saul (Sue) Baker of San Diego, California and a sister Fay Croucher of Hamilton.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister and four brothers.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes, 218 South Market St., Galion, Ohio 44833 where services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 16 with Pastor Steven Hodges and Rev. Paul Walter officiating. Interment will be in the Mausoleum of Fairview Cemetery.
Full military honors will be conducted by the United States Army and the Galion Crestline Veterans Military Funeral Detail.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gospel Baptist Church or Grace Point in care of the funeral home.
Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Don Baker, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.