Obituary for Dr. Donald Baker
Dr. Donald Wayne Baker passed peacefully at St.Vincent’s in Indianapolis with loved ones around him on Tuesday, March 8,2022 after fighting valiantly for four days following emergency surgery.
Don was born on May16, 1939 in Bloomington, IN to Daniel and Helen (Lentz) Baker. He was a football,basketball, and track star at Bloomington High School. He garnered a full football and basketball scholarship to Hanover where he excelled until needing to return to Bloomington to care for his family. Don continued his education at IU Bloomington as a Beta Theta Pi member. His beautiful voice earned him a spot in the Singing Hoosiers and his dancing skills(learned from many hours with his sister Ruth as his partner) landed him an opportunity to tour Europe with the group. He also met his wife Diana J. McGinnis in the Singing Hoosiers. They soon married and attended IU Dental School together. They had 3 children and were married for 30 years.
Don then met Kris (Kouba) Baker, his wife of 24 years. During that time they made 7 trips to South and Central America to provide dental care to impoverished people, often accompanied by Don’s son Michael. His only complaint was that he was only allowed one banana a day even though he was in the land of plenty and preferred to eat them by the bunches.
Don was a wonderful ,proud father and spent countless hours a day with his children.He led his daughter Lisa into dentistry and they practiced side by side for over 30 years. He and his son Michael enjoyed many successful realestate adventures together. He and his daughter Sally shared their artistic talents and had numerous art projects over the years. He liked to fish with all 3 of them.
Don served his community as a pediatric dentist for over 50 years. He coached football and basketball on his son’s teams at the Boy’s Club for years, taught at the dental school for decades, and was an avid farmer for over 40 years. His poker skills were legendary and he loved to share his knowledge on a variety of topics endlessly.
Don was a very kind, joyous, enthusiastic person who will be missed deeply by his friends and survivors who include: Kris(Kouba) Baker, Mary Lee Wildt(partner). His children: Dr. Lisa Baker (Dr. Barb Siwy), Michael Baker (Karthika), Sally Branam(Lee). His sisters: Ruth Vallery(Ernest), Martha “Dee” Bauer(Robert). HIs Nieces and nephews: Daniel Baker(Goldie), Carl Baker(Robin), Dr. Steve Vallery(Kathy), Sean Bauer, David Bauer(Crystal), Erin Galvin(Mick), Jay McGinnis(Michelle), Josh McGinnis, Annie Miller(Jeff), Kevin Hall(Stacy)
The Funeral Chapel in Bloomington, IN will hold a viewing from 2pm to 5pm with services to follow on Sunday, March 13, 2022.
Don was born on May16, 1939 in Bloomington, IN to Daniel and Helen (Lentz) Baker. He was a football,basketball, and track star at Bloomington High School. He garnered a full football and basketball scholarship to Hanover where he excelled until needing to return to Bloomington to care for his family. Don continued his education at IU Bloomington as a Beta Theta Pi member. His beautiful voice earned him a spot in the Singing Hoosiers and his dancing skills(learned from many hours with his sister Ruth as his partner) landed him an opportunity to tour Europe with the group. He also met his wife Diana J. McGinnis in the Singing Hoosiers. They soon married and attended IU Dental School together. They had 3 children and were married for 30 years.
Don then met Kris (Kouba) Baker, his wife of 24 years. During that time they made 7 trips to South and Central America to provide dental care to impoverished people, often accompanied by Don’s son Michael. His only complaint was that he was only allowed one banana a day even though he was in the land of plenty and preferred to eat them by the bunches.
Don was a wonderful ,proud father and spent countless hours a day with his children.He led his daughter Lisa into dentistry and they practiced side by side for over 30 years. He and his son Michael enjoyed many successful realestate adventures together. He and his daughter Sally shared their artistic talents and had numerous art projects over the years. He liked to fish with all 3 of them.
Don served his community as a pediatric dentist for over 50 years. He coached football and basketball on his son’s teams at the Boy’s Club for years, taught at the dental school for decades, and was an avid farmer for over 40 years. His poker skills were legendary and he loved to share his knowledge on a variety of topics endlessly.
Don was a very kind, joyous, enthusiastic person who will be missed deeply by his friends and survivors who include: Kris(Kouba) Baker, Mary Lee Wildt(partner). His children: Dr. Lisa Baker (Dr. Barb Siwy), Michael Baker (Karthika), Sally Branam(Lee). His sisters: Ruth Vallery(Ernest), Martha “Dee” Bauer(Robert). HIs Nieces and nephews: Daniel Baker(Goldie), Carl Baker(Robin), Dr. Steve Vallery(Kathy), Sean Bauer, David Bauer(Crystal), Erin Galvin(Mick), Jay McGinnis(Michelle), Josh McGinnis, Annie Miller(Jeff), Kevin Hall(Stacy)
The Funeral Chapel in Bloomington, IN will hold a viewing from 2pm to 5pm with services to follow on Sunday, March 13, 2022.