AUGUST 21, 1941 – OCTOBER 1, 2023
Kenneth Leroy Baker, 82 of Greenville, Ohio, passed away on Sunday October 1, 2023 at Upper Valley Medical Center, Troy, Ohio. He was born on August 21, 1941 in Greenville, Ohio, the son of the late Clarence and Betty Jane (Hollopeter) Baker.
Kenneth was a 1959 graduate of Greenville High School; he had several jobs in his early years, working at Corning Glass in Greenville until 1982; during that time he was president of the union (local and international); he then became a United Methodist Minister, he served churches in Darke, Morgan, Meigs, and Mercer counties before retiring and moving back home to Greenville. In 2020 he went to Village Green Health Campus, where he continued to preach on Sundays in the home. If any residents or families wanted someone to have prayer with them he would be there for them. During his ministry, he was involved in many things, Chaplain at hospitals, worked with alcohol and drug patient’s organizations, clothing and food pantries being president of some.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Janice (Hoblit) Baker on November 5, 2018; his daughter, Teresa (Baker) Hiestand; his sister, Mary Jane Heath; his brother in laws, Ronald Hollopeter, Wilbur, Larry, and Rodney Hoblit; and his sister in law, Louise (Hoblit) Hunley.
Kenneth is survived by his children, Rick (HyunMi) Baker of Racine, Ohio, Jana (Rob) Holland of Greenville; his grandchildren, Josh (Mandy) Baker, Jamie (Hannah) Baker, Kris Wentworth, Christopher Baker, Ashley (Braden) Spencer, Austin (Sydney) Baker; his great grandchildren, McKenna, Weston, Kenzie, Kolton, and Ronin; his sister, Janet Sue (Baker) Hollopeter; his brother in laws, Clifford, Carl, Robert “Don” (Sue) Hoblit, Dale Hoblit; his sister in laws, Ann Fair, Carolyn (Ronald) Stamps, Marian (Charlie) Miller, Lois Hoblit, Delsie Hoblit; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Friday October 6, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, Ohio with Rev. Marla Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Mote Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday October 5, 2023 and 1 hour prior to services on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Village Green Activity Fund or to the family.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Baker family.