Donald William Baker
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Donald William Baker, age 83, of Robinson, Il., died Friday November 5, 2021, at his residence in Robinson, IL surrounded by his loving family. Don was born September 11, 1938, to George M and Frances (Faught) Baker in Robinson, graduated Robinson High School with the Class of 1956 and upon graduation went to work for Marbry and Johnson Surveyors and part time for area farmers as a field hand.
In January 1962, Don answered his Country's call to serve in the military, he was trained and assigned to the Headquarters Battery of the 2nd Artillery Division at Fort Hood, Texas. On December 15, 1962, Don married Greta Jean Smith and she preceded him in death April 13, 1986. Following his military service Don found employment at the Indian Refinery (TEXACO) in Lawrenceville, IL and later became a member of the refinery firefighting team which lead to his volunteer fireman activities for the remainder of his working life. Don ultimately became an Illinois Certified Firefighter Training Instructor teaching many volunteer firefighters the "tricks of the trade" to maintain on-scene safety and yet provide effective fire suppression techniques. It was as a result of training young volunteer firefighters that he met and later married Deanna (Dorney) Sawyer. Deanna and her family survive. Also surviving are a son Gregory Don Baker and a daughter Tambree Krouse and their families. In addition to his children, Don is survived by Stepchildren Angela & Jeff Yardley of Carlyle, Il and Todd Sawyer of Robinson, Il. Grandchildren Emily, Elizabeth, James & Kaitlyn Krouse, Quentin, Olivia and Kelen Baker as well as step grandchildren Susan D. Seals, Levi Seals, Titas Seals & William A. Hall Jr. Preceding Don in death were his parents, wife Gretta Jean Baker, a sister Greer Raydean Garson Baker, a stepdaughter Jamie Sawyer and step grandchild Amber Seals.
Back in the good ole days, Don loved to Roller skate, and he could be found most any night or evening at Skate Land Roller Rink. He was an amazingly agile and nimble young adult, especially when he was on his "wheels". After he retired, Don became interested in model railroading and later on, joined the Crawford County All Scale Model Railroaders' Club and the TEXACO Old Timer's Association.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday November 9, 2021, at 1:00 PM at Pulliam Funeral Home in Robinson with pastors Tracy Marx and Jim Williams officiating. Interment will take place on Wednesday November 10, 2021, in the Allendale Cemetery, Allendale, IL where full military rites will be accorded by the Wabash County Military Funeral Detail % VFW Post # 4276, Mt. Carmel, IL. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until the time of funeral services at 1:00 PM on Tuesday November 9, 2021, at Pulliam Funeral Home in Robinson, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to any of the volunteer fire departments in Wabash County, IL in memory of Donald W. "Don" Baker.