

at Oakley Place Assisted Living.
Dick was born on September 27, 1932 at his parents home/farm near New Madison, Ohio. He
was the son of the late Charles and Juanita (Eley) Baker.
Dick graduated from Hollansburg High School in 1950. He married Shirley M. Harless on March
16, 1952. Shirley preceded him in death April 26, 2015.
Dick began his business career at FRAM. He later worked for Ernie Myers Ford/ Lincoln
Mercury & McClain’s. In March of 1965 he incorporated his own company which eventually
became Rebsco, Inc. Dick loved business and in addition to Rebsco owned several other
endeavors including Shirlynne Farms, Shirlynne Cattle Company and Top Cut Show Pig Sires.
Community involvement was an important part of Dick’s life. He served on many boards,
including Wayne Health Care, Wayne Health Care Foundation Board, and the Darke County
Chamber of Commerce. He was a founding member of the Hope Foundation ( now the Darke
County Foundation). He also served on the Liberty Local School Board, Tri-Village Local School
Board, Darke County School Board and was appointed to the Ohio State School Board by
Governor George Vionovich serving on that board for 16 years. He was active in the Darke
County Republican party for many years and one of the founding members of The Century
Club. His years in the cattle business had him involved nationally and internationally with Red
Poll Cattle, Chi Angus cattle and he was active with the Darke County Cattlemen's Association.
Dick and his wife Shirley loved to travel both domestically and internationally. Dick was able to
travel to 117 countries, the majority of which he and Shirley traveled in together.
Dick would tell you he believed he was the luckiest man he ever knew and that he had been
able to do more in his life than he ever could have imagined. He believed he was truly blessed.
Dick is survived by his daughter, Tyeis, son-in law Bill Baumann, granddaughter Jessica (Tom)
Baumann and great grandson Owen.
The family will be receiving friends at Zechar-Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville, Ohio from 1 - 3
pm on Saturday, May 14 with a remembrance service to immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers or the like, the family requests you continue Dick’s legacy of giving by donating
in his memory to one of the following: Everhart Hospice, Darke County Foundation, Darke
County Center for the Arts, Wayne Healthcare Foundation, or Edison Community College
Foundation.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Baker family.
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