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Henry N. Baker, age 95 of Grand Haven, departed this earth on Friday, June 18, 2021 to be with his friend, Jesus (Ecclesiastes 12:7) “and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” He was born on October 14, 1925 in Cutler, IL to the late George and Mary L. (Jacoby) Baker.
Henry married Irene R. Bol on November 11, 1949. Shortly thereafter, he purchased property in Grand Haven Township. Henry, being a handyman of sorts, built his own house and moved in during the fall of 1952. He was content with the location, and decided to raise his family there. Sadly, Irene passed away in September of 1962. Henry then married Evelyn Grace Bouws in December of 1963.
Henry was an Army Air Corp. Veteran of World War II, where he served in the Ryukyus area (Okinawa-le-Shima) as a radar technician (maintenance operator). Post military service, he worked as a central office installer for Western Electric for four years, an electrician at Continental Motors for five years, and then installer and repair man for Michigan Bell Telephone Co. for 30 years, retiring in 1982. Henry decided to go back to work for Electro Media, retiring again in 1995.
He was a member of Second Christian Reformed Church where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school Superintendent, Elder, and Deacon. Henry spent many years on the Outreach and Evangelist Committee, was past president of the Rosy Mound Parent’s Club, and also served as a Chaplain for the Boy Scouts of America. Being a man of strong faith who was led to help those in need, he led church services at Campers Paradise and was active in the Forgotten Man Ministries of Ottawa County.
In Henry’s spare time, he enjoyed gardening fishing wood-working, cooking, recreational flying, and camping. He also had a passion for restoring player pianos and organs, and hand crafting Christian mementos.
Henry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Evelyn Baker; his five sons, Ronald Baker of Muskegon, MI, Rev. Edward (Vasantha) Baker of Hemet, CA, Donald (Joyce) Bouws of Orlando, FL, Robert Bouws of Allendale, MI, Perry (Olga) Baker of Charlotte, NC; two daughters, Charlene Baker of Marietta, GA, Karen (Todd) Fredricks of Grand Haven, MI; 13 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Henry was the last of his siblings.
The Funeral Service for Henry will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2021 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home with Pastor Laura de Jong officiating. Full Military Honors will be performed by the American Legion, Charles A. Conklin Post #28. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 24th, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Forgotten Man Ministries.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henry N. Baker, please visit our floral store.
Forgotten Man Ministries
1480 Buchanan Ave., SW, Grand Rapids MI 49507
Tel: 1-616-784-4620
Email: office@forgottenman.org
Web: https://www.forgottenman.org/