Eldon Baker

NORTH LOUP - Our hero has fallen. Eldon Leo Baker 67, of North Loup passed suddenly on June 7, 2010, at Bryan LGH West Medical Center in Lincoln as a result of complications from an accident at his home.

Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 11, 2010, at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Ord, with Father Tom Ryan officiating. Burial will be in the Ord Catholic Cemetery. Military honors will be presented at the Cemetery by the Nebraska National Guard Military Funeral Honor Guard and the Ord VFW Post 7029 and American Legion Post 38.

Visitation will be on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Valley County Veteran's Memorial Wall, the North Loup or Scotia EMS Unit. Ord Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Eldon was born to Leo and Esther (Krolikowski) Baker of Ashton on Jan. 28, 1943. He helped with the family farm near Ashton until he joined the United States Army in 1964. Eldon served his country during the Vietnam Conflict with the highest regard for the life of his comrades and a sincere dignity and respect for the mission, the fight and the freedom that the American Flag represents. While serving with the 101st Airborne, SSGT Eldon L. Baker was awarded the Nations second highest award for extraordinary heroism and bravery above and beyond the call of duty, the Distinguished Service Cross; as well as the Soldier of the Year, three Purple Hearts, and the Bronze Star. His military career was cut short due to the untimely death of his father; Eldon returned to Ashton to help his mother. Eldon began his family with Elizabeth Kowalski having seven children. He farmed and raised cattle in Sherman County for many years. He extended his family when he married Jane Shoemaker in 1992 with two stepchildren and another son.

Eldon loved fishing and hunting when he wasn't working the family farm. He took great enjoyment in the peacefulness and relaxation at the cabin on Sherman Reservoir.

Survivors include Eldon's wife, Jane, their son, Cole of North Loup; his mother, Esther Baker of Loup City. His children, Lori Ann (Darren) Melching of Tennessee, Sheri (Alan) Goodrich of North Loup, Pat Baker of Arizona, Michael (Judi) Baker of St. Paul, Jon Baker of Ashton, Tara Baker of North Loup; stepchildren, Shey (Paul) Boyce of North Loup and Josh (Summer) Jess of Ord. Eldon's sister, Elaine (Paul) Kusek and brother, LeRoy (Kris) Baker of Loup City. Eldon was blessed with 17 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leo Baker and a daughter, Theresa Baker.