DR. BERNARD M. BAKER

CAIRO, Ill. -- Dr. Bernard M. Baker, 66, of Cairo, died Thursday, Aug. 22, 1991, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Marion.

He was born May 4, 1925, in Charleston, Mo., son of Silas L. and Nellie Pearl Gregory Baker. He first married Doris Finwick, who survives in St. Louis. He and Belinda Macandog were married Nov. 9, 1984.

Baker attended Southeast Missouri State University, and graduated in 1954 from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Veterinary Medicine.

He practiced large and small animal care in East Prairie, Mo., from 1955-74, and then practiced in Cairo until retiring in 1990. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cairo. Baker served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Belinda; six sons, Michael Baker of St. Charles, Mo., Gary Baker of Lincoln, Neb., Jeff and Christopher Baker of St. Louis, Gregory Baker of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Jason Baker of the home; three daughters, Cindy Spaeth of Cape Girardeau, Jackie Baker of Naples, Fla., Bernadette Baker of the home; two brothers, Lloyd Baker of Charleston, Leon Baker of Cape Girardeau, and 13 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, brother and sister.

Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick's Church. The Rev. Jerome Fortenberry will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery at East Prairie.

Friends may call at McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston after 6 p.m. today. A prayer service will be held at 7:30.