Ivan L. Baker

Faith, Hope, and Love and the greatest of these is Love. Ivan L. Baker, 89, Kokomo, went to be with his Savior after midnight on September 21, 2010 at North Woods Village. He was born July 4, 1921, in Linton, Indiana, to Roy M. and Lilly (Hagerman) Baker. On December 7, 1947, he was married to Wilma Scott at the First Baptist Church of Anderson by Rev. Smith. He served in the United States Army during World War II from 1942 to 1945, serving in the Southern Philippines, the Luzon Campaign, and the New Guinea Campaign. He earned the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon along with three Bronze Service Stars, and he also showed movies to General MacArthur. He managed the north and south drive-in, Sipe, and Isis theatres and helped in the opening of the first McDonald restaurant in Kokomo. He later worked for and retired from Chrysler. He was a member of St. Luke Methodist Church. He was a covering for his wife and was a loving father to his sons. He was adored by his grandchildren and enjoyed making them many wooden toys. He was known by his beautiful white hair in his later years. He is survived by his wife, Wilma Baker; three sons, Leslie (Karen) Baker, Beaver Creek, Ohio, Peter L. (Phyllis) Baker, and Bradley S. (Mary) Baker, all of Kokomo; ten grandchildren, Paul Baker, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kim Schomburg, Chicago, Illinois, Ginger Cardwell, Tyler, Texas, Lisa Schafer, Fairborn, Ohio, Lauren Weller, Portsmouth, Ohio, Lindsay Patterson, Ohio, Monica Baker, New Orleans, Louisiana, Cassie McKillip, Luke Baker, and Levi Baker, all of Kokomo; and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Loren Baker. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home, 2097 W. Alto Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902, with Rev. Harold Williams officiating. Burial will take place in Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson. Visiting hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Condolences to the family can be made at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.