Frederick "Buck" Elmer Baker, 93 of Rochelle, IL died Thursday Oct. 14,
2010 at Bethany Health Care Center, DeKalb, IL. He was born July 9, 1917
in Rochelle, IL the son of Fred and Charlotte Amy Strang Baker. He
married Florence E. Davey on September 6, 1947. She preceded him on Dec.
1, 2006. Buck and Flo built their home together in 1950 under the direct
supervision of Fred Baker Sr.
Fred graduated from RTHS in 1936 and helped his father in the
contracting business until being drafted into the US Army June 23, 1941.
He served his country in WW II as part of the 41st Sunset Division under
General MacArthur.
After the war, Fred started as an apprentice in the printing and
engraving business. In years later, he became a co-owner of Hub
Engraver's Inc. in Rochelle. He retired from that business in June of 1992.
Memberships include Rochelle United Methodist Church, Rochelle Country
Club, Rochelle V.F.W. Post 3878 and Golden K.
Buck was an avid sportsman since his Jr. High years. He played football,
basketball, softball and track in High School. He continued to pitch
softball for 16 years and added bowling, golf, fishing and hunting in
later years. For several years, he was very active in helping with high
school sports, including girls and boys basketball and volleyball. Fred
was inducted into the Rochelle Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and three sisters;
Blanch Draper, Helen Johnson and Gwendolyn Budzinski.
He is survived by one son David (Jennifer) Baker of Keller, TX, three
daughters; Barbara Manning of Rochelle, Brenda (Dave) Jones of Creston,
IL, Mary (Jeffrey) Butler of Monticello, IL, 13 Grandchildren and 15
Great-Grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday Oct. 19, 2010, 10:30 a.m. at
Rochelle United Methodist Church. Visitation is on Monday from 6 to 8:30
P.M. at Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th Street, Rochelle, IL.
A memorial fund has been established to the Rochelle V.F.W. Ladies
Auxiliary.

Military burial rites by Rochelle V.F.W. Post 3878 will be held at
Lawnridge Cemetery following the funeral.