John L. Baker
August 7, 1942 ~ December 13, 2021
John L. Baker 79, of Indianapolis, passed away December 13, 2021. He was born on August 7, 1942 in Indianapolis to the late William and Evelyn May (Green) Baker.
John was a Marine Veteran serving his country during the Vietnam War. Upon leaving the service he was a Police Officer in El Cajon, California. In Indiana he spent most of his career as a Truck Driver, retiring from ANR. In his retirement, John was a Transport Driver at Fort Benjamin Harrison. John was an active member of VFW Ernie Pyle Post # 1120. He enjoyed riding all types of Motorcycles, especially Harley Davidson, and was an avid supporter of Indy Car racing, especially the Indianapolis 500 near his home where he drove as a tour bus driver during his retirement at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. A dedicated fan, John was passionate Notre Dame Sports, especially football.
Besides his parents John was preceded in death by his brother Richard Baker. He is survived by his loving wife Nancy (Moore) Baker; children Christopher Baker, Lisa Baker, Cheryl Baker, Leanora Baker, Jon (Giulianna Tonti) Howell, Megan Kawadza, and Spencer (Kisha Busby) Howell; 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; and brothers William (Camille) Baker, Charles (Michelle) Baker, Walter (Peggy) Baker, Michael Baker, and Gregory Baker.
A Celebration of John’s Life will be held Tuesday December 21, 2021 from 5:00-8:00 PM at O’Riley Funeral Home 6107 South East St. Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday December 22, 2021 at 11:30 AM in the funeral home. Please share a memory of John at www.ORileyFuneral Home.com for the family.
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We love you Papaw John
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
A great man and a hero,one of the men I looked up to in my life. Rest in peace
We are thinking of you during this difficult time.
We are thinking of you and here for you!
The Guadalcanal campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by American forces, was a military campaign fought between 7 August 1942 and 9 February 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theater of World War II. Born a Marine always a Marine. A brother who I looked up all my life. Praying for Nancy and all our family. Love Wally Peggy Lindsey and Lauren.
As our Indianapolis based Marine Reserves deployed John Baker and his VFW Post 1120 joined. VFW Post 2839, and the Marine Corps League to support over 100 Marine families with anything they needed. John over time also organized several Marine Corps Birthday events. John was my Marine Brother, I will sincerely miss his jokes and stories. Rest In Peace Marine!! Semper Fidelis, Russ Eaglin
THE MEMBERS OF THE VFW AUXILIARY 1162 ARE SADDEN TO HEAR OF JOHN’S PASSING OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS WE WANT TO THANK AND HONOR JOHN FOR HIS SERVICE TO THIS COUNTRY SUZANNE GIBSON VFW 1162 CHAPLAIN
Always someone bigger than life to me , our last time together happened in a funny way. My wife and I were seated at a restaurant behind a divider, I heard a loud laugh which caught my attention. I then heard some chatter about the Indy 500 and I jumped up told my wife “I know that’s my uncle John” , I went around the corner and there he was with that big John smile. We chatted for a while , I hugged him and said goodbye! Such a great way to remember him. RIP love and prayers for the family.
To the Baker family, we are sad of his passing. John was a great gentle soul the will be missed, this is not a goodbye but a until we meet again.
Forget Me Nots in memory of John L. Baker
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, John. I recall fondly the many memories of our work with love for the Ernie Post. Heartfelt sympathy!
With deepest sympathy,
My Papaw and Nancy always made our Christmas magical. I remember one time I asked my Papaw if I could have a cherry. He told me sure! They’re in the fridge, honey. My little self marched into the kitchen and got a cherry and took a bite and immediately spit it out. It was a rum soaked cherry. So many sweet memories with my papaw, but this one sticks with me because he said sorry and loved on me afterward and got me a non rum soaked cherry. He was a kind man with a wonderful sense of humor. Love you papaw❤️
My Dad was my hero. He was an amazing man and father. I loved him more than life itself. I remember when we were little he would pick us up and take us to the rootbeer stand to see the cars. He had an 8 track ( yes that long ago) he would play all the oldies for us. We would get a rootbeer float and a chili dog. He always made sure we did a lot of things growing up. My father was a giving man with the biggest heart ever. I will forever miss him every single day till I see him again. I so love you Daddy. ߒܰߘ°ߘ
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
ON BEHALF OF THE COMRADES AND SISTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA YOU HAVE OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE AND OUR DEPARTED COMRADE.OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL.SINCERELEY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF INDIANA STATE CHAPLAIN KEISTON R.HOLLOWAY