Merwin Perry Baker, 89, of East Moline, died Sunday, January 3, 2016 at Hope Creek Care Center. Visitation will be 4-7 PM Thursday at Van Hoe Funeral Home in East Moline, where a rosary will be recited at 3:30 PM. Funeral services are 10:30 AM Friday at St Mary's Catholic Church, Hampton. He was a member of St Mary's. Burial to follow at Rock Island Arsenal Cemetery, with the East Moline American Legion Post 227 conducting military honors. Merwin was born February 22, 1926 in East Moline, IL to Commodore Perry Baker and Barbara Findley Baker. He married Margaret Larson October 19,1946 at St Johns Catholic Church in Rapids City, IL. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hope Creek Care Center in Merwin's honor. Merwin proudly served as a radio operator on a ship in the Navy during WWII. He saw action at Imo Jima. Merwin retired from International Harvester, East Moline in 1978 after 34 ½ years. He also worked at Flicks Plumbing for many years. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Margaret. Together they created the Baker's dozen. His children are Linda Vaughn (Jeff), Machesney Park, IL; Kathleen McIntosh (Jim Turner), Fenton IL; Marcia Allen, Bettendorf, IA; Christine Baker (Don "Speedy" Williams), Silvis, IL; Denise Baker, Silvis, IL; Daniel Baker (Pammy Gomez); Marty Baker, Pamela Baker, Paula Baker, all of East Moline; and Sandra Cordova (Floyd) Thornton, CO. and Steve Baker (Deceased). He has 18 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren and a great great grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Helena Eckert, brother Kenneth Baker, his son Steve Baker who died of ALS in 2004, and his grandson Paul Baker. We could not have asked for a more wonderful husband and father. Everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him, loved him. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Shalaina Waite and Dea Hargrave and the Memory Care unit of Hope Creek Care Center for Merwin's excellent care.

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Friday, January 8, 2016

St. Mary's Catholic Church-Hampton 708 State Avenue Hampton, Illinois 61256