Ralph L. Baker

November 17, 1928 - November 3, 2015

Ralph Lynn Baker, 86, formerly of Rogers City, died on Tuesday, November 3, 2015. Ralph was the son of Ralph and Eva Baker and was born in Farmington, Michigan, on November 17, 1928. He was a committed Marine, reaching the rank of sergeant during the Korean Conflict. While in the Marines, he began corresponding with the love of his life, Betty Blakely. They were married on August 22, 1953 and celebrated 45 years together before Betty preceded Ralph in death in 1998. After an honorable discharge from the Marines, Ralph graduated from Michigan Tech with a degree in Mining Engineering. He retired from the Michigan Limestone Calcite Quarry after more than 30 years of faithful service. Throughout those years he served as a Scoutmaster, a Little League umpire, an avid member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church, the Servicemen’s Club and served as a city council member. Ralph is survived by his eight children, Daniel (Susan), Thomas (Kathy), Deborah Luskin (Ed), Mary Beth Baron (Jeff), Anne Marie Heynen (Rick), Karen Smolinski, Ralph Jr. (Virginia) and James (Julie), 32 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by Betty, his wife of 50 years, two of his children, Susan Mary and Charles Frederick, his second wife, Rose Redwa and his two brothers, Keith and Rex.