Arnold Baker

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Arnold U. Baker, 77, of Charleston died Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.

He was born Feb. 20, 1926, at Wyatt, Mo., son of Lindsey G. and Opha Mae Kennedy Baker. He and Patty Louise Baker were married Dec. 21, 1946.

Baker was bus garage supervisor at East Prairie Schools in East Prairie, Mo. He attended the First Church of God in East Prairie.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Mike Baker of Lakeland, Fla., Steve Baker of Sikeston, Danny Baker of Charleston; a daughter, Melinda Cave of Charleston; two brothers, Lindsey Baker Jr. of Charleston, Alfred Baker of Marion, Ill.; six sisters, Hazel Lee of Waxahachie, Texas, Ruth Robinson of Park Hills, Mo., Bobbie Cartiva of Arnold, Mo., Rita Walker of Streetman, Texas, Mary Simpkins of Charleston, Alice Modica of Anabel, Mo.; 17 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter, a brother and three sisters.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. today at First Church of God in East Prairie, with Martin Lucas officiating. Burial will be in East Prairie Memorial Park Cemetery.

Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie is in charge of arrangements.