Charles Baker

Charles Rexford Baker, age 80 of Middleton, MI.  Beloved husband and father, cherished grandfather, and loved brother and uncle passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, in the arms of his family.  Charlie was born in his childhood home to Deo and Marie (Huschke) Baker on April 6, 1941, to a family of 12 siblings in total. He graduated from Fulton High School in 1960 and retired from General Motors Fisher Body Division in 1996.

Charlie’s passion in life was the outdoors including deer hunting, pheasant hunting, fishing, and morel mushroom hunting starting from a young age.  One of the many legacies he leaves behind is making European mounts for hunters that came near and far to have one of Charlie Baker’s masterpieces on their wall.  For the past 23 years, he has professionally mounted bears, goats, buffalo, elk, mule deer and thousands of whitetail bucks.

Charlie and Mary (Smith) were wed on November 4, 1961. They spent their years enjoying bowling leagues, euchre nights and playing marbles in which his competitive and mischievous sides often left Mary as the opponent. They also enjoyed many years of camping in Harrison and Canadian fishing trips with friends and family. In later years, Charlie lived for afternoon drives on back roads with the love of his life and a saltshaker hidden in his car door for his tomatoes.

As a father, there are far too many lessons and wonderful memories to mention. Charlie instilled a very strong work ethic into each of his children. Some of their favorite memories include yearly vacations to new destinations and traditions around opening day for deer hunting season and pheasant hunting.

When you ask his grandkids, they would all describe Grandpa Charlie as a “family man” who instilled the importance of this quality into each of them. He enjoyed attending sporting events for each of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He could be found hollering at referees and camping at motocross races. Some of the grandkids’ favorite memories include spending Christmas Eves at Grandma and Grandpa Charlie’s, listening to him howl, trips to Cedar Point, Drummond Island, Disney World and a special trip to Lake Cumberland. There was definitely no lack of love or pride for his grandkids and their endeavors.

Charlie leaves behind his wife, Mary, of 60 years, son Craig Baker and daughters: Cherie Emmons and Tracy Williams. He is also survived by nine adoring grandchildren: Ben Winsor, Charles (Kimmy) Winsor, Lyndsey (Bobby) Wilhelm, Garrett Tanghe, Zach Baker, Hannah (Thacker) Hisey, Dante, Dalton and Dayde Williams and seven great-grandchildren: Charles, Kameryn, Hunter, Hazel, Lilly, Chasen and Jeremiah. Charlie also leaves behind eight siblings: Marguerite (Harold) Upham, Kay Ann Grandchamp, Dea (Charles) Berry, Jane Fairchild, Beverly Loudenslager, Larry Baker, Linda (Stan) Saylor, and brother-in-law, Dale Winsor. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends with special mention of the Hanson, Clevenger, and Zurat families. He was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, siblings: Adona Wood, Shirley Winsor and two infant sisters.

Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Brian Ruth officiating.  Burial will take place at Fulton Center Cemetery, Fulton Township, MI.  Visitation will be held Monday, December 27, 2021, from 2-8 p.m. with the family present 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to a Charity of the Donor’s Choice.  Online condolences may be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.  The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.