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BORN
1946
DIED
2018
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Donald Baker Obituary
Hanover - Donald Frederick Baker, Jr., age 72, entered into God's eternal care on October 28, 2018 at the Gettysburg hospital with his loving family by his side.
Born on June 23, 1946 in Gettysburg PA, he was the son of the late Donald and Catherine (Hoffman) Baker. Don was the loving husband of Barbara (Livelsberger) Baker with whom he shared 50 years of marriage.
Don was a 1964 graduate of Delone Catholic High School. After graduation he served his country proudly in the United States Marine Corps and the Pennsylvania State Police.
He served as a Pennsylvania State Trooper for twenty-five years, having served at the Milton, Gettysburg, and York Barracks. He also served as Chief of Police for the Borough of Littlestown for eighteen years before retiring.
Don previously coached Baresville Bears Football, Saint Joseph's Basketball, Delone Freshman Football and McSherrystown Little League Baseball. He also coached the Littlestown Girls Varsity Basketball team for 14 years.
Don known as "BAKE" had a very quick wit and loved to make people laugh. He enjoyed spending time on the golf course, playing cards with his friends and family, doing Sudoku puzzles, electric backgammon, and watching old western movies. He was an avid fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Dallas Cowboys.
Don loved supporting his grandchildren in their life pursuits, whether it was Sport Events, Theatre, Dancing or Musicals. They are his lasting legacy, of whom he was very proud. He enjoyed many memories at the Beach House and going on trips with his wife across country visiting forty-two U.S. States along with a cruise on the Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Sea for ten days through New England and Canada.
He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, the American Legion in Gettysburg, the New Oxford Social Club in New Oxford, the McSherrystown Home Association, McSherrystown Knights of Columbus and the McSherrystown Moose.
In addition to his loving wife, Barbara, Don is survived by three sons, Douglas E. Baker and Shannon Baker, children McKenna, Ella and Bryn of Hanover, Pa., Donald F. Baker III and Jessica Despres children, Treytyn, Gracie, Jarod, Kaylee and Connor of Spring Grove and Derrick A. Baker and Brandy Baker, children, Trenton, Clayton, Brady, Ava of Spring Grove. Don is survived by two sisters, Nancy Guzman of Ellicott City, Maryland and Kathleen Baker of Gettysburg. He was preceded in death by his brother Michael Baker and his Daughter- in- Law Heather (Griffiths) Baker.
To celebrate and remember Donald, a viewing and time to share memories of the family will be held on Wednesday October 31, 2018 from 9:30 to 11:30 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 5055 Grandview Road, Hanover, PA 17331., with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:30 am. Interment will be held privately by the family. Family services are under the direction of Beck Funeral Home & Cremation Service Inc. of Spring Grove.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Don to the Heather Baker Foundation, 678 OId Hanover Road Spring Grove, Pennsylvania 17362.
Condolences may be shared at www.beckfunerals.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Donald Baker
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Jeannie and Bob Kelley
October 23, 2025
We can't have enough Donald Baker's. It was an extreme pleasure to know him.
Lori Blount (Burk)
November 11, 2018
Ms. Baker, Doug, and Family. I am sorry to hear about Mr. Baker. Y'all were always very special to me. God calls His children home. Just know and be reassured that Bake is in Paradise and will always be with each of you. He is your Guardian Angel. I love y'all. Would love to see you. I'll be in Hanover 11/17 - 11/23.
Vicki Hughes
November 9, 2018
Barb and family:
My heart goes out to you my sweetest of friends. I found out about Bake after his services or I'd have surely been there. Bake was a very charismatic guy and I'm so glad I stopped to see him when I was in Pa. I've been where you are and I know the loss will hit you in waves. I loved him dearly as I do you. My prayers for your comfort will continue.
Vicki
Lindsay
November 1, 2018
I'm very sorry for your loss. May the phenomenal power of prayer sent you comfort during this difficult time. 1 Peter 5:6,7
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November 1, 2018
Barb, Donnie, Doug and Derrick, so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great friend to our family and I will always remember him with the smile on his face. Prayers to all of you.
Julie, Zum and Bradi
ben kendrick
October 31, 2018
Barb and family sorry to hear of Bakes passing .
Steve and Sandy Weaver
October 31, 2018
Barb and Family,
So sorry to hear of Bake's passing. I remember clearly when our boys were active in baseball and basketball and the coaching we did together. He will surely be missed! May he Rest In Peace.
Jean Kelley
October 30, 2018
The Baker Family,
Our sincere sympathy on losing your LOVED ONE. He was such a SPECIAL man; coached our son, Doug in football years ago. He's been responsible for bettering so many lives. We need more MEN like him! SEMPER FI!
BOB AND JEANNIE KELLEY
Sue Myers
October 30, 2018
To Barb and the Baker family,
Donny was one of a kind and always was laughing and having fun. Remember all of those good times ...he will continue to live on in his children, grandchildren and friends.
Love and prayers,
Sue Flaherty Myers
Erik Bunty
October 30, 2018
To Barb & Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Erik Bunty & Son Cole
Jan Baughman
October 30, 2018
Dear Barb and family. I'm so sorry to hear and read of Bake's passing. It seems impossible, with a man who was so active and loving all of his life. God bless all of you.
Frank and Linda Shrader
October 29, 2018
Barb and family,
Our sincere condolences and prayers at this difficult time. Bake will be truly missed by all that knew him. He was a friend,classmate, and fellow marine.
October 29, 2018
DEAR BARB AND FAMILY,
I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
MY MEMORIES OF 'BAKE' WILL CARRY ON THRU MY ENTIRE LIFETIME, FROM THE FIRST TIME I MET HIM WHEN HE STOPPED BY OUR HOUSE IN HIS STATE TROOPER CAR TO SEE JT [I THOUGHT I DID SOMETHING WRONG WHEN I SAW HIS CAR PULL UP] THROUGH THE YEARS DONALD BECAME A TRUE FRIEND. HIS JOKES, LAUGHTER AND MOST OF ALL HIS SINCERITY TO EVERYONE THAT HE CAME IN CONTACT BEST DISCRIBES BAKE'S PERSONALITY'. YES I WAS ONE OF FIRST TO GOLF WITH BAKE AND I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT BIG 'LEFT' HANDED SWING. BAKE HATED TO LOSE, EVEN IN GOLF AS HE KEPT PUTTING HIS BALL ON THE T [ IN THE FAIRWAY]. BARB, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, WE ALL LOST A DEAR FRIEND. MEMORIES LAST FOREVER AND THERE ARE QUITE A FEW GREAT MEMORIES [AND ADVICE] THAT I'LL CARRY THROUGH MY LIFE AS I'M VERY THANKFUL TO HAVE KNOWN BAKE. MY GOD BLESS YOU, PAT FLAHERTY
October 29, 2018
To the Baker family, please accept my condolences of my coaching friend Bake. He was a great guy and I always enjoyed competing against him. After he retired I always enjoyed seeing him at the K and talking to him. Gerry Eckenrode
October 29, 2018
Barb and all his loving family,
Dan and I are heart sick with hearing of his passing. We were blessed to call him our friend I will never forget all the memories we made playing cards when Dan and him would win he would always call the next morning and sing the song We are Champions but when Barb and I would win I would play the song to him. Well Bake will always be the CHAMPION in my heart now and forever, we would always try to out prank each other but I never won that either. So RIP our dear friend until we meet again❤ Dan and JoAnn
Gary & Betty Linebaugh
October 29, 2018
Barb and family,
Know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time , please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences for your loss. RIP Don.
October 29, 2018
Barb, Doug, Donnie, and Derrick, my heart goes out to each one of you. God bless all of you.
L. Jewitt
October 29, 2018
RIP Don, I knew Don when he use to stop in and see Chase William's at the PD Station.
Alan - Vicki Little
October 29, 2018
Barb and a Family
Our deepest and sincere condolences for Bake's passing. We will never forget all the good times spent together with both of you and the years of friendship. He will be missed by all the lives he touched over the years and especially his family that he loved so dearly. May his memories last the family a lifetime and RIP my friend until we see you again.
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