The family of Dan Baker of the Bunker Hill/Shipman area are hosting a card shower for his 90th birthday. Birthday cards would be enjoyed by Dan and can be sent to his home at 4582 Baker Road, Bunker Hill, IL 62014.

Daniel Earl Baker was born February 1st, 1927, at the home of his parents, George L. and Eva Smith Baker, located south of Shipman. He was the fourth of six brothers, Henry, Lloyd, Guy, Roy and Robert. His three sisters were Geneva (Paul Quirk), Georgia (Larry Bray) and Darlene (Lester Large.) Dan attended Shipman High School through his junior year and entered the Army in August of 1946 where he was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for paratrooper training.

His son Richard was born in 1946. Dan served in Japan for nine months and was discharged in 1948. His daughter Diana was born in 1948, Edward in 1950, and son Terry was born in 1954. His son Thomas Martin Baker was deceased at birth in 1956 and Richard died of a heart ailment in 1951.

Daniel married Marjory Dunham (parents, Maynard and Lucy Mowen Dunham) on December 28, 1946. After discharged from the Army, Dan and Marjory moved to a 120-acre farm west of Woodburn previously owned by Babe Greer. Dan enjoyed flying a Cessna-170 plane locally and to visit family in Wisconsin.

Dan and Marjory raised several thousand turkeys each year until 1961, when it was discovered his son Terry was allergic to turkey feathers. He and his children began raising Black Angus cattle and Chester White hogs. He also raised caged hens and delivered eggs for six years.

Dan and Marjory were 4H leaders of the Shipman 49ers for 10 years. They attended the Shipman United Methodist Church and belonged to the Macoupin County Farm Bureau and the Bunker Hill Masons Lodge #151 for 25 years. In past years, he has enjoyed collecting and constructing miniature merry go rounds, ferris wheels and log cabin banks and wooden bowls.

Dan helped his son Terry with field work up until two years ago and always worked very hard and accomplished much. He and his wife enjoyed their family above all. They always had toys and activities for all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy. Mostly they gave the children their time.

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Diana resides in Carlinville, Ed (Jerey) Baker reside in Bluffton, Indiana, and Terry (Jane Ladendorff) Baker reside in Bunker Hill.

Dan’s grandchildren are Tonya Behl Gibbs (Larry) of Carlinville, Kim Baker of California, Joseph (Amanda) Behl of Jerseyville, Eric (Amy) of Indiana, Brett Behl of Shipman, Brian Mike Behl of Piasa, Jenny Baker Hanks (Ryan) of Shipman, Jonathan (Heejung) of Brownsville, Tx, Ben Ogborn (Sarah) of Indiana, Tim Ogborn (Sarah) of Antioch, IL, and Katie Baker of Bunker Hill. He has 18 great-grandchildren.

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