Donald E. Baker
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Donald E. Baker, 82, of Harrisburg, passed away at 5:40 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23, 2010, at his residence surrounded by his family in Harrisburg.
He was born on Sept. 17, 1927, in Harrisburg to the late Ernest Earl and Sara Emily (Hunsinger) Baker. On Sept. 5, 1952, he married Helen L. Hish of Shawneetown, and she survives.
Don worked for the U.S. Postal Service on a mail train from 1950 to 1966. He joined Barnes Lumber Company in 1966 as a head bookkeeper; he became part owner in 1968. In December 2000, along with sons Greg and Jeff, he purchased Barnes Lumber Company, where he was an active owner until his death.
Don was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Harrisburg. He was a member of the Harrisburg Knights of Columbus where he received his first degree on April 1, 1964, and his fourth degree on April 1, 1974; he was past district deputy, and past grand knight third degree. He was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He was a member of the Illinois Lumbermen Association for more than 40 years. He served as a special deputy of the Saline County Sheriff's Department for more than 20 years. He was a World War II veteran and received the Army of Occupation Medal.
Surviving family members include his wife, Helen Baker of Harrisburg; daughter, Mary Shepherd of Chapmanville, W.Va.; daughter, Dorothy Jean Underwood of Marion; son, Greg (Michelle) Baker of Harrisburg; son, Jeff (Danielle) Baker of Harrisburg; brother, Frank (Barbara) Baker of Portsmouth, Ohio; several grandchildren, Andrea (John) McCune, Josh Shepherd, Jennifer Underwood, Cody (Antoninette) Underwood, Nicole (Brad) Storms, Courtney (fiancé Daniel Johnston) Baker, Boyd Baker and Ethan Baker; several great-grandchildren, Greenlee and Karlee McCune, Jalyn, Isiah, Zachariah, Jerimiah Underwood and Brittney Storms; several nieces and nephews; dedicated secretary and friend, Jane Mitchell; and friend and business partner, David Clemmons.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy Cecil; and son-in-law, Terry Shepherd.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Harrisburg. Father Ignatius Okonkwo will officiate. Burial will follow in Sunset Lawn Cemetery where the Harrisburg American Legion will perform military graveside rites. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2010 at Reed Funeral Chapel, with a Knights of Columbus Chalice Service at 7 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, St. Mary Catholic Church Building Fund or the 4-Cs. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family through the Obituary Page at the Internet site www.reedfuneralchapel.com.