Virginia BAKER

Virginia Ruth Baker, age 93, of Plymouth, Indiana, passed away at 7:00 a.m., on Friday, October 19, 2012, at her home with her loved ones, by her side. Virginia was born on May 2, 1919, in Culver, Indiana, to Ambrose L. and Callie C. (Hawk) Martin. Her parents divorced in 1928 and Virginia never saw or heard where her father was for the next 30 years. During her school years she lived with her grandparents, John and Byrdie Hawk, on a farm outside of Culver. She married Richard E. Baker in May of 1936. Together they raised their three children, Deanna (Richard) Langfeldt, Arlene (Chris) Batalis, and Richard Baker. The Bakers moved to Plymouth in 1955. Richard and Virginia celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on the island of Kauai before Richard passed away in October of 1986. After her husband passed away, Virginia spent her winter months in Zolfo Springs, Florida, until 2002. Virginia worked as an inspector for Wagner Industries, later known as United Technologies, and served as a president/financial secretary to the local IBEW Union for the next 25 years. She was also a charter member of the Auxiliary of V.F.W., in Culver, with 50 years of continuous membership and was awarded a lifetime membership. Virginia belonged to the Culver Rebekah Lodge and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star/Ivy Chapter 69. Virginia was well known for her hobbies. She displayed her ceramics and quilted pillows in the Horse Barn at the Blueberry Festival until 1988. For the past nine years, she had sold her quilted tops at the Topeka Quilt Show. She also loved to garden and work with flowers. Virginia loved to travel. She had been to Stockton on the Tees, England, Scotland, Wales, Canada, and 40 of the 50 United States. For the past ten years she spent three weeks in Kauai, Hawaii. Virginia is survived by her three children, two daughters, Deanna (Richard deceased) Langfeldt of Garrett, Indiana, Arlene (Chris) Batalis of South Bend, Indiana; her son, Richard Baker of Indianapolis, Indiana; nine grandchildren, Greg Langfeldt of Dallas, Texas, Connie (Sean) Derry of Culver, Jon (Lori) Langfeldt of Garrett, Indiana, Tim Batalis of South Bend, Indiana, Philip (Cindy) Batalis of Granger, Indiana, Melanie Batalis of Indianapolis, Heather Baker of Plymouth, and Stefanie Baker of Bourbon, Indiana; 14 great-grandchildren, Drew, Conlan, and Shannon Derry of Culver, Nicholas Batalis of South Bend, Stephanie and Jason Batalis of Granger, Jena and Elizabeth Baker, Autumn Wilcox, Andrew Knowlton all of Plymouth, Skyler and Dejena Thews and Parker and Eliza Poise all of Bourbon; her sisters, Shirley (Jerry deceased) Clark of Springfield, Illinois, Karen (Eugene) Deeds, and Susan (Virgil) Hudkins both of Rochester; her brothers, Ronald (Dorothy) Martin of McAllen, Texas, Donald Martin of Florida, John Fisher of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Jim (Mary) Fisher of Rochester, Indiana. Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard; four brothers, Robert, Ralph, Charles, and LeRoy Martin; and her granddaughter, April Baker. Memorials may be given to: Ounce of Prevention 1001 East Jefferson Street Plymouth, Indiana 46563 ~VISITATION~ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012, NOON-2:00 P.M. VAN GILDER FUNERAL HOME 300 WEST MADISON STREET PLYMOUTH, INDIANA 46563 ~FUNERAL SERVICE~ TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2012, 2:00 P.M. VAN GILDER FUNERAL HOME THE REV. PAUL NYE, OFFICIATING ~BURIAL~ NEW OAK HILL CEMETERY, PLYMOUTH ~MEMORIES MAY BE SHARED AT~ www.vangilderfuneralhome.com