Karen E. Baker

KAREN E. BAKER, of Lynchburg, Va., died peacefully Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, surrounded and comforted by her family. Karen was the loving and supportive wife of over 40 years to Dr. Raymond C. Baker Jr. She was born on April 22, 1942, in Fort Wayne, the daughter of the late Paul and Ethela Merkey. She was a graduate of Elmhurst High School in Fort Wayne, attended Indiana University, and graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis. She also attended graduate school at Towson University in Baltimore, Md. Karen was an elementary school teacher in Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, and Virginia before devoting all her time to raising four sons and caring for her husband. Her car license plate read "5 GUYS" as her way of letting everyone know she was the only lady in a family of six. It was also her way of expressing her love for her family of five males. Karen was a willing volunteer all her life. She volunteered for church and school activities, and for many years was a volunteer for the Williams Home, and a member of the Williams Home Auxiliary Board. She was an active member of Peakland United Methodist Church and loved her church family. She served on many church committees for over 30 years, and especially enjoyed her time as a youth leader at her church. Karen was an accomplished quilter and artist and enjoyed working with, and helping others with art and craft work. She worked for a number of years teaching art and crafts to elementary school students and church youth groups in Lynchburg. Karen and a group of artistic friends held an annual arts and craft show, "The Event" every fall to display and share their creations. In addition to her husband, Karen is survived by her four sons, Christopher M. Baker of Richmond, Va., Gregory S. Baker of Richmond, Va., Matthew R. Baker of Richmond, Va., and Jonathan A. Baker of Lynchburg, Va.; her brother and sister-in-law, James and Anne Merkey of Glen Ellyn, Ill.; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Michael and JoAnne Baker of Cambridge, Md.; and her nieces and nephews, Renne Jeffries of Centreville, Md., Alyssa Adams of Poolesville, Md., Kelly Halfpap of Salisbury, Md., and Justin Merkey of Chicago, Ill. Private Graveside service with Dr. Timothy R. Gerde officiating, will precede a Memorial service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, at Peakland United Methodist Church. Family will receive friends at a reception at the church immediately following the service. Arrangements by Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, Va. (434) 237-9424. Please consider memorial donations to the Karen E. Baker Memorial Youth Fund, c/o Peakland United Methodist Church, 4434 Boonsboro Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneralhome.com.