In Memory
It is with extreme sadness we share that Charles Baker died on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. He was 75 years old.
We wanted to post this website to Charles’ memory and thank you all for your friendship and support over the years! We know that your thoughts and prayers are with Charles as he is now, at Peace.
In settling his affairs, we came across a letter that Dad had written in late 2008 where he shared his “Life Story” telling of where he came from and some of the accomplishments over his lifetime. As you read through it, you can almost hear Dad telling it (especially the ending).
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A Life Story
My father was from Arkansas (don’t know where) and he met my mother in Joplin, Missouri where my mother was raised. My mother’s family was named Childress and her father (my grandfather) was one of 5 boys and they owned 14 lead and zinc mines in the Oklahoma-Kansas-Missouri area during the time of WWII and, as lead was needed for bullets, they made a large amount of money. An interesting bit here was when my grandfather was a boy they lived in a frontier cabin in Missouri and he told me that late one day a stranger rode up on his horse. As the custom at that time, the stranger was invited to stay the night and have a meal with them. He stayed and the next morning the stranger gave my grandfathers parents a $5 gold piece for their kindness. $5 at that time was a lot of money. As he got on his horse he told them his name… Frank James, the brother of Jesse James.
I understand that my Great-grandmother on my mother’s side was a full-blooded Qua-Pau Indian of the Cherokee tribe. That tribe is very small now and last I knew was in Oklahoma. My great-grandfather on my mother’s side was a big red-headed Irishman. I remember looking up at him when I was little and thinking he was really big!
My father and mother married in Joplin and my father worked in a J.C. Penny store as a stock boy. He worked his way up to an assistant manager and then was called into St. Louis where he met Mr. J.C. Penny. Mr. Penny promoted my father to a store manager and had him move to Galesburg, Illinois to run the Penny’s store there. I was then born in Galesburg in 1936. When I was a year and a half old we moved to Urbana, Illinois where my father opened a J.C. Penny store. He managed that store until 1946 when he opened a store called Russell’s Department Store” in downtown Urbana with a friend of his, Al Stoddard. Al had a children’s store in Champaign (the twin city of Urbana). My father and Al kind of sectioned off the Russell’s store and ‘rented’ areas with Al putting children’s wear in part and my father putting women’s wear in part and they ‘rented’ an area to another guy for shoe sales.
My father talked some businessman friends of his into investing in a corporation where dad could open a small women’s store in Champaign. The store had a basement that you could only get to by lifting a trap door to stairs. The trap door was part of the floor in one of the women’s dressing rooms so to get up or down we had to wait until no one was using the dressing room. In the basement was the ‘office’ and where were stored supplies. I worked after school in Junior High school at the store by emptying trash and making gift boxes. I had to make up a paste that would glue fancy gift wrap on boxes and lids so when someone wanted something gift-wrapped there was a box already with wrap on it.
Mom and Dad also made women’s blouses in the basement. The 1940′s were a difficult time and there was a shortage of white cotton material and women’s white cotton blouses were very had to find, so dad, on a trip to Chicago, somehow got a hold of a large roll of white cotton fabric and brought it back. He knew nothing about sewing but got a sewing machine and sat down and made a very crude women’s blouse. (It was pretty bad.) He and mom messed with it for a while and finally developed a pattern and their blouses turned out pretty good. They stocked some of these blouses and word got around and women came in to shop and buy the blouses which pretty much saved the business. The business men were impressed and my father bought Al Stoddard out and the Urbana store became Baker’s Apparel and he closed the small Champaign location. Soon after he found a location in a town about 18 miles North of Urbana called Rantoul. Rantoul was the home of Chanute Air Force Base. A few years later he opened a store in Hoopeston, IL which was 52 miles from the Urbana store.
I went to grade school in Urbana, IL and at 4th grade we moved to a small house in Champaign so I then went to Dr. Howard Grade School through 6th grade… then on to Champaign Junior High and then to Champaign High School where I graduated in 1954. I entered the University of Illinois and started to study business administration. During the first semester, around Christmas time, some high school friends decided they were going to enlist in the service so myself and another friend went down to watch the dummies enlist. Before it was over we all had enlisted, me and one friend in the Army and the other two in the Navy. We all served 3 years on active duty. It was as the Korea war (conflict) was ending and all of us were going to be shipped overseas after our training period. Fortunately I got top grades on tests during training and as a result the Army shipped me to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico assigned to a ‘security’ company. I served all three years there.
While originally back in University of Illinois I had a class on fencing and I liked it. During my three years in the Army there was a lot of time where there was nothing to do so I practiced my fencing. I entered a Southwest Fencing competition in El Paso, Texas with contestants from California, Nevada, Texas, Mexico, New Mexico and Arizona and I won it. After service I noticed in the paper back in Champaign, IL that the U of I was having an alumni fencing meet. I went and the fencing coach asked me to fence the U of I team for kicks. They had just won the NCAA and the Big Ten Championships. I did and beat all of them. After watching this, the coach (who had been and Olympic coach) wanted me to go to the Olympics. He said I could win, he thought. I didn’t go as I had just got married to Annetta and wanted to be with her. (I wasn’t real bright then.)
My father passed away of a coronary in November of 1958. I had been out of service since January of 1958. My mother and father had run the stores and my mother wanted me to now work in them with her. I started on Dec. 1, 1958 learning the bookkeeping. About a year later Annetta and I moved to Hoopeston with our baby daughter, Kimberly. There, in Hoopeston, we had our sons, Mark in 1960 and later Cory 1964. I managed the Hoopeston store and drove back and forth to the Urbana offices now and then. The businessmen were still a part of the corporation and we had monthly board meetings where we would have audited financial statements and the businessmen would give input to us. Finally (don’t remember the year) I made the board members the offer to buy them all out so now I owned the majority of the stock and the corporation. As the years progressed business changed dramatically with large department stores and discount stores. It got difficult to survive in the business and I decided to close the stores one by one as the leases I had expired. In December of 1980 I closed the last store. During these 22 years I had opened a store briefly in Paris, IL and after a year I was approached by a customer on a Sidewalk Day sale. She wanted to buy the store. I sold it to her and closed that sale in about three weeks. I also briefly opened a store (the last one we had) in a mall in Danville, IL. I did not want to open a store there but my wife, Annetta, thought I ought to and the mall owner, who I knew well, both persuaded me to do so. I had to close that store two years later as the style of business of better grade brand name clothes was not what the shoppers at that town bought. That store closing resulted in a very large cash settlement with the local bank and then my having to declare bankruptcy so not to have to pay the remaining lease owed of $240k. That was a tough time for us.
A few months after closing the last store I was asked by an Illinois State Senator who was an old friend to accompany him to the state capital, Springfield, IL. I drove over with him and there was asked by the Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce to come to work and develop an economic development program for the state to attract and retain industry in Illinois. A bill had already been passed by the Illinois House and Senate but no progress on actually drafting any rules or procedures to implement it had taken place. I accepted and starting working for the Department. The result was the Illinois Industrial Training Program. It became, and still is, the leading economic program the State of Illinois has. I ran it initially all by myself. A number of other states around the country have copied the idea and the program. Soon thereafter the Director put me in charge of the entire budget of the Department to oversee and determine that the funds requested for the state programs the Department ran, were viable. The budget was $321 million. Politics entered soon and the governor was appointing a new Director. The Presidents of the states’ community colleges (52 in all) and some State Representatives and State Senators, tried to get me to consider taking the position. I was not interested and the Governor appointed a person that that I did not care for and he that felt threatened by me because of the efforts that became known of those that wanted me to take the position. I resigned soon after. The job was no longer enjoyable and the new Director wanted to use funds in very questionable ways. That Director was ‘removed’ about a year later.
In April of 1985 Annetta and I decided to move to Arizona and for me to get a new line of work. It had been suggested by some in Illinois that I should look into banking or the mortgage business. I drove to Phoenix with my mother and within three days had a job with a small mortgage company as a loan officer. The job was commission only and it was up to me to learn the business and to get clients. Fortunately we had some cash reserves as it took some time before I was able to get any loans going. In 1986 I took a class on mortgage brokering and passed the test and then got my State license so I became now a one man mortgage company. Now I had more freedom and was able to structure loans for my clients without having to include fees that before, had to be charged and given to the mortgage company I had worked for. Slowly I got to know people and loans started to be referred to me. Then… an economic downturn hit and business came nearly to a halt. I found a firm that hired people as independent contractors to go around the country checking loan portfolios of different banks for purchase by large financial firms. I traveled from Florida to California for a little over three years doing this and made some good money. I enjoyed it. I kept my mortgage license up to date the whole time and finally stopped the traveling and again originated loans in the Phoenix area as the economy got better. As of the writing, I am still doing that even though the economy has turned very ‘sour’.
OR… Would you prefer something more in this vain??
I was born in a manger. It was a difficult time as the hay and straw was uncomfortable however I was surrounded by folks that looked after my every need. As I grew up, scratching my way through life, I met an older woman who became mesmerized with me and chased me until I agreed to marry her. I did not realize then that she, being of Germen descent, would exercise a level on independence that would require me to become a constant supervisor.
Charles Baker
God broke the mold when Chuck was made. There will never be another one like him, but what a great thing to have been able to share space on this planet with him. He was a dear friend to my father and he will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt condolences to you all.
“The last step of any journey is the first step of an even greater adventure”. – from the movie “Somewhere in Time”
Dennis and Vivian (McCann) Komori
I am proud to say Charles Baker was a true friend. He was an extraordinary and exceptional man. My prayers go out to his family. Our world will not be the same without you Charles Baker.
Duane and Marcy Nelson
I grew up in Hoopeston Illinois in the 1960′s-70′s not knowing much about the Baker family other than their downtown store was a cornerstone of the community. Charles and Anetta have been a good friend of my parents for many years . I would not appreciate Charles outgoing, larger than life personality, until later in life. I graduated Hoopeston High with daughter Kim a year ahead of me and son Mark a year behind. . What I appreciate most is the friendship Charles had with my father. I will never forget his support during my Dad’s surgery and his being a great golf buddy. Charles had down to earth Midwest values and never knew a stranger. I always appreciated his work ethic and optomistic personality . His absence will leave a void that will not be able to be filled by any other. Our sympathy goes out to the family. May precious memories bring comfort to you during this time of loss.
I remember meeting Charles at a real estate meeting years ago and at that time his wife worked as a waitress in a grocery store on the corner of Tatum and Shea. I considered him a friend and very good at what he did so referred him to clients , friends etc. others who wished to get a loan. The others included clients, my son and my husband and I. I considered him as very good at what he did, amusing and always fun to chat with. When he was really in the lending business we would talk about the market, lenders and the going’s on in the real estate industry. My husband was the last person in our family to see him at the Hallmark store; where he recognized and chatted with my husband.
He loved life, he loved his family and he loved his business and the people he meant in our business. After reading the story above I wish he would have shared it a long time ago; very Charles!!!!!!!!!!
He will be missed
I grew up with your dad. My parents were friends of his parents and for a number of years we lived a block apart. I also worked at Myers store on Saturday. Although I have not been in touch for many years, I still remember the family fondly and share your loss. Growing up in Champaign in the 50′s was an ideal setting and we were blessed. My sincere condolence to you. Mary Beth Kluge
As I compose this note about my Father, I am doing it with tears of joy. He taught me many life lessons in my life that I cannot begin to tell one how much I appreciate. I grew up always wanting to be like him, always trying please him, & in my later years always trying to make him proud. His largest bumps & potholes in the road of life were my biggest lessons as I vowed to make sure I would take the wisdom from those events & make my life different. My Faither never had a lack of love for anyone. He would (& many times did) give someone the only money he had just to make their day better, knowing it would be a burden on him. As I write this I am truly grateful for my sister Kim for her ability think quickly & keep my Father alive by performing CPR right after he went down. Without her my 9 year old twin boys would not have been able to make it to his bedside & say goodbye one last time. I am very grateful for my brother Cory for his willingness to stay in Phoenix for the past weeks to “clean up the mess” by getting all of the affairs of my deceased Father in order. I believe Cory to be a true blessing for my Mother during this time. And lastly I pray for my Mother Annetta, whom after 50+ years of being with my Father is starting a new chapter in her life. All be it a chapter that I don’t believe anyone wants to start in their 70′s, it will be a new & exciting time as she moves forward. I pray that she can lean forward, hold her head up, & know that life goes on & still has many things to offer her.
For you my Father… Thanks for everything! I will continue to work to be the best man I can be. I will never stop contributing positively to this great county that you taught me to love & be willing to die for. I will do all I can to be the best Father to my boys, as I know you tried to be with us. I will work to be a good husband to my bride Carla no matter what storms comes our way. And most of all, I will work to be the best role model to others by continuing to give of myself without anyone knowing it was me so that I can spread some sunshine to others. I pray for God to help me to be to my family, friends, & total strangers what you were to all of us.
I was in the class of 51, but knew Charles at DR Howard and Junior and High school. In the late 40s,I sold my 1930 model A Ford 4door sedan to him. I used to see hin once in a while driving it around town. I’m sure he will be missed by many. God speed Charles.
Charlie
Baker family. It is with great sadness for your loss of Chuck, but we are greatly apprecitive to you for sending, what I am sure, was a tough email to write to let us all know, who loved and knew Chuck, about his passing. We are so greatful to have spent breakfast with him when we were out in Phoenix this past March for Spring Training. We always looked forward to our “Breakfast with Chuck”, as he always had a great story or deal he was working on. He was the true “art of the deal” guy. This trip was especially good, as we got to introduce our kids to him. I had the opportunity to work in the Scottsdale area back in 2003-04, so we had many lunches and dinners together, and as you all know many great stories. When Dee and I decided to get married in Phoenix, we knew we wouldn’t have many family members make the trip, let alone guests, but Chuck said, “I will be there with bells on”, and you know he did. We will greatly miss him during our future trips to Phoenix. He was a very inspiring man, and I am blessed to have known him growing up with Cory in Hoopeston, but I most cherish the memories of recent years getting to know him as an adult. God Speed Chuck Baker. You will be greatly missed.
I have known Chuck since Jr. High School. He was always super friendly, caring,
and easy to talk with. I saw Chuck periodically after school at the various stores he worked
at with his folks. I then lost track of him, but ran into him and we talked about classmates
we were in school with. About three years ago the phone rang one day and was pleasantly
surprised to find Chuck on the other end. We talked for a long time about this that and the
other and friends we had known in school. Generally just about everything. I told him that
we had a daughter in Mesa and was planning on making a trip out in October and that when
we were there we would call him. Our daughter had to work on Sunday so we called Chuck
told him where we were staying and he said he be out shortly. He arrived and we sat and
as always tried to catch up on school mates, his work over the years, his family, my work,
my interests of buying and selling antique and collectible toys, my family. We went down
to the lunch room and had a bite to eat and continue catching up. When we returned to our
room the smoke detector was beeping. Call the front desk and they sent a couple of
maintenance men down to check on it. Now they were both about 5’5” tall and of course did
not bring a ladder. They decided they needed a ladder to check the smoke detector, said the
would be right back with a ladder. Chuck stood up and said what do you need to check and
and they both just looked at him. They said they needed to see what size battery was in the
detector. Then to our amazement they hadn’t brought batteries with them either. They said
they had to go get battery and be right back. When they returned they only had the battery
no ladder. They walked in and handed the battery to Chuck and left. We all got a good
chuckle over that. We had now spent about 5-6 hours with Chuck and he said it was time
for him to get home. We said good bye with hugs and promised to keep in touch.
We are very sorry and sad to hear “THIS GOOD OLE BOY IS GONE BUT WE WILL
NOT FORGET HIM! I have known Chuck since Jr. High School. He was always super friendly, caring,
and easy to talk with. I saw Chuck periodically after school at the various stores he worked
at with his folks. I then lost track of him, but ran into him and we talked about classmates
we were in school with. About three years ago the phone rang one day and was pleasantly
surprised to find Chuck on the other end. We talked for a long time about this that and the
other and friends we had known in school. Generally just about everything. I told him that
we had a daughter in Mesa and was planning on making a trip out in October and that when
we were there we would call him. Our daughter had to work on Sunday so we called Chuck
told him where we were staying and he said he be out shortly. He arrived and we sat and
as always tried to catch up on school mates, his work over the years, his family, my work,
my interests of buying and selling antique and collectible toys, my family. We went down
to the lunch room and had a bite to eat and continue catching up. When we returned to our
room the smoke detector was beeping. Call the front desk and they sent a couple of
maintenance men down to check on it. Now they were both about 5’5” tall and of course did
not bring a ladder. They decided they needed a ladder to check the smoke detector, said the
would be right back with a ladder. Chuck stood up and said what do you need to check and
and they both just looked at him. They said they needed to see what size battery was in the
detector. Then to our amazement they hadn’t brought batteries with them either. They said
they had to go get battery and be right back. When they returned they only had the battery
no ladder. They walked in and handed the battery to Chuck and left. We all got a good
chuckle over that. We had now spent about 5-6 hours with Chuck and he said it was time
for him to get home. We said good bye with hugs and promised to keep in touch.
We are very sorry and sad to hear “THIS GOOD OLE BOY IS GONE BUT WE WILL
NOT FORGET HIM! I have known Chuck since Jr. High School. He was always super friendly, caring,
and easy to talk with. I saw Chuck periodically after school at the various stores he worked
at with his folks. I then lost track of him, but ran into him and we talked about classmates
we were in school with. About three years ago the phone rang one day and was pleasantly
surprised to find Chuck on the other end. We talked for a long time about this that and the
other and friends we had known in school. Generally just about everything. I told him that
we had a daughter in Mesa and was planning on making a trip out in October and that when
we were there we would call him. Our daughter had to work on Sunday so we called Chuck
told him where we were staying and he said he be out shortly. He arrived and we sat and
as always tried to catch up on school mates, his work over the years, his family, my work,
my interests of buying and selling antique and collectible toys, my family. We went down
to the lunch room and had a bite to eat and continue catching up. When we returned to our
room the smoke detector was beeping. Call the front desk and they sent a couple of
maintenance men down to check on it. Now they were both about 5’5” tall and of course did
not bring a ladder. They decided they needed a ladder to check the smoke detector, said the
would be right back with a ladder. Chuck stood up and said what do you need to check and
and they both just looked at him. They said they needed to see what size battery was in the
detector. Then to our amazement they hadn’t brought batteries with them either. They said
they had to go get battery and be right back. When they returned they only had the battery
no ladder. They walked in and handed the battery to Chuck and left. We all got a good
chuckle over that. We had now spent about 5-6 hours with Chuck and he said it was time
for him to get home. We said good bye with hugs and promised to keep in touch.
We are very sorry and sad to hear “THIS GOOD OLE BOY IS GONE BUT WE WILL
NOT FORGET HIM!
We did business with Charles & were shocked and saddened to learn he is gone. He had a wicked sense of humor & was just so personable. He truly cared about doing his best for his clients. His stories were so interesting. He even sent my husband a “happy birthday” message. He made each day count. I will miss getting his emails. To his family, I’m so sorry for your loss..
I have know Charles for over 25 years I am devastated and heartbroken. We were friends as well as business associates. Everyone loved him, His sense of humor and off the wall jokes just made you like him even more. Everyone always had faith in his business polices and believe me he saved many of my clients many times including my son who was in transit from Oregon back to Arizona to move into thier new home, He was told that the lending company that he was dealing with in Oregon needed more info that happened to be packed in a truck “somewhere” along the route. I called Charles and by the time my son and wife got to Ariz. It was a done deal ! I will never forget that ONE..and so many more. But most of all I think he will be always be remembered as the man that Always answered his telephone…No matter where he was !! So many of of loved and admired him.
. To the family I wish you the best I am sure your lives are turned upside down and maybe all of our prayers will make your sadness a little better. I know everytime I see a really tall man I will think of Charles….Goodby my friend !!
I have known Chuck since his high school days. He has been like a brother. Actually brother-in-law because I married Barbara in 1952. Chuck was there for the wedding and kept very close tabs on me. I wondered if he thought I might back out. He said that’s part of it, but if this marriage goes through, I get my own bed room, use of the car, and more.
While Chuck was at White Sands, I was assigned to White Sands also and Chuck would visit us in El Paso. If he stayed too late, he knew he would be too tired to go on duty the next day, so he would stay up all night to win inspection the next day so he would get the day off. He really enjoyed it when Barbara would take him back to White Sands. She would drive our 52 pink Pontiac convertible with an officer’s sticker on the window and the MP’s were required to salute the car. By then Barbara was a blonde and I don’t believe Chuck ever told them she was his sister.
Chuck told us about his fencing activities. Most of you would know how tall he was, but you may not know his CB handle was Treetop. The way he explained it, all he had to do was lean forward and his opponents could not reach him.
Chuck had a good friend, Dr. McCann, who was a Chiropractor who went with him on a golfing trip one time. The other golfers were amazed that Chuck had his own personal Chiropractor. I don’t know that he ever told them differently.
Since I lost Barbara in 2006, Chuck has been real good to call and check up on me.
I wish Annetta, Kim, Zack, Mark and his family, and Cory the best. Keep the faith. Chuck, we will all miss you, but I’d bet you will be in heaven just as you were here.
Today (May 23) I learned of Chuck’s passing and, like everyone else, was heartbroken. He and I were high school classmates (Class of 1953) and remained friends over the years. We stayed in contact with each other on a regular basis through e-mails, both sharing each others sense of humor. I was pleasantly surprised last year when he took time out to make a personal telephone call to my home. I shall truly miss his wit, his charm, and his sense of passion and caring for his family and others. My sympathy to his family and friends at this very, very difficult time.
I too offer my heartfelt sympathy to the Baker family. Chuck and I have been friends since our Champaign Junior High School days. I remember his parents well and especially his mother. We both belonged to the Hope Chapter, Order of Eastern Star in Urbana and she was always so proud of Chuck. I will always remember his beautiful smile and his great sense of humor. Even though it has been a long time since I have seen him, I enjoyed his e-mails. Chuck will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
So sorry to hear about Chuck. Knew him from living in the same town as his family and visiting their store. Always had a welcome smile on his face when ever you saw him or a joke to tell you. Watched his children grow up since I was the lunchlady at the High School his kids attended. Really knew the two boys Mark and Cory since they were close to the age of my two. The two boys came to my house to play games alot over the years and knew them well. Boys that have became men that I know he was proud of. Always on my trips to Vegas always saw Mark and his beautiful wife and his twin boys. I was planning on seeing Chuck and his wife this summer when I was going to go thru Az., I will still check in on Anette. Loss of a very very special man.
I just heard this sad news of losing Charles as I was calling do another loan. I wanted to share with his family what an absolute joy it was to work with him on many loans for myself and my clients. He was an absolute ten on a ten scale. Always a great attitude, always made me smile, always worked hard and always showed up for the signings to answer questions. He will be sadly missed. Lots of love to his family. Keith
Growing up in Hoopeston, I got to know Chuck well. He was a great guy, and always had a smile for everyone. Whenever he came into my parents Donut Shop, or my mom went to his store, they had some great laughs. I wish I would have known he was out here in AZ, so I could have had some time with him.! Rest well, Chuck, you will be missed.
So Sorry to hear of Chucks passing.Many Good memories of Him.
My condolences to the Baker family. Some years ago, after a game of golf we were sitting around waiting to find out who won the game. (Chuck of course), and he mentioned the value of “black dirt in Champaign County Illinois. I asked him how he new and then found out we were one class apart at CHS. At that point we both recognized each other. From that time on, we tried to get together for lunch on a monthly basis. Our last lunch was just about one week before his death. His passing leaves a hole in my life.
Growing up in Hooopeston, I remember Chuck as that big guy with a big smile. Bakers was the only place in town where you could have shoes dyed to match your dress (I still have a pair of my mother’s, Mable Miller)…Chuck’s fingers were always tinted blue/green from doing this job. I also have many fond memories of my parents (James and Mabel Miller) and the Bakers playing cards together. My sisters and I always had to make brownies for Chuck. Whenever the card game was at our house, mom made sure that the TOP of the refrigerator was clean (where no one else could see). Who would have ever guessed that years later I would be doing the same in my own home here in Arizona when Chuck came to visit! You will be remembered and missed by many, Chuck.
Another one of Chuck’s classmates to check in. I remember him well from his participation in the acting circles and how very much he enjoyed that part of the after-school activities. This would’ve been very evident from his bio that he wrote. What a wonderfully colerful fellow he was, not to mention his caring side and his generosity. He was involved in our high -school email group but rarely interjected anything. I wish he had involved himself a little more in this group, but then it sounds as though his life was quite busy. When we’d visit one-on-one it was always good hearing from him. I’m so happy he took the time to write of his upbringing so he could leave his children with so much of his life. Peace and love to his family. Mary Ann (Stahl) Baker – Class of ’53.
To the Baker Family:
We extend our deepest sympathy to your family. I remember Friday nights in Downtown Hoopeston where we’d stop in to your dad’s store and he’d always joke around. My parents went to Hawaii with Chuck and Annetta and always spoke highly of your dad. He will be missed by many. May you all take comfort in knowing that many people are praying for you all at this time.
Sincerely,
The Burl Hall Family, Shirley, Ginger & Barry
We are so sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing. He was such a wonderful person, always so full of fun and good nature. We remember the good times we had when we
would get together with Chuck and Anneta when we lived in Phoenix. I’m sure that such a wonderful soul and spirit that Chuck was is living in paradise now.
Anneta and family…..you have our heartfelt condolences.
Bill and Sandy McNeely
I was very sorry to hear of Chuck’s passing – I worked for WCIA-TV in Champaign as a writer/producer and retired 4 years ago after 42 years at the station.
I produced the commercials that aired on WCIA for the Baker store – I remember we used to film at the Urbana store – this must have been in the 1970′s – and Chuck was always a joy to work with – he seemed to have a great sense of humor and always had a quip or joke for us on the film crew.
So sorry to see of Charles passing – he was a grand gentleman – I was the owner of that 1st ” Small Mortgage Co. ” that Charles went to work with – I had only been in the business only 3 years – my partner and I enjoyed Charles so very much – he became the best – after several year he went on his own – we have been friends during all of these years – running in to him at meetings and visiting his office on Camelback Rd. we both discovered our common interest in the art of ” Fencing ” we never did face off – I’m sure with his long reach he would have got me every time. He was always a friend when we saw each other – Rest in Peace my friend
I was so sorry to hear about your father. As a girl in Jr. high I probably went to Bakers every weekend! Chuck was so tall, like a gentle giant!! He would always joke and laugh with us girls. I graduated with Kim in 1977, please pass my sympathies on to her and the rest of the family. It was great seeing his picture in the obit since it’s been years since I had seen him!
Susie Ward Sheppard
I was one of the many Account Reps that called on Charles in the Mortgage Banking field. I enjoyed every encounter with this wonderful friend and always loved his stories.
Although I have not seen him for several years – he will be missed. Rest in Peace Charles.
[...] I have not seen him for several years – he will be missed. Rest in Peace Charles.View post: Comment on In Memory by Denise VethRelated posts:The Memory MakersA Memory of MalaysiaTrip down memory lane for mortgage registry [...]
THE BAKER FAMILY
WE WERE DEEPLY SADDENED TO READ YOUR NOTE OF CHUCK’S PASSING. WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES AND SYMPATHIES TO YOU ALL.
CHUCK AND I BECAME FRIENDS WHEN GLEN, FRANCES, BARB AND CHUCK MOVED IN ACROSS THE STREET FROM US ON DANIEL ST. IN ’48 OR ’49, SO I HAVE KNOWN HIM A LONG TIME.. THE BAKERS WERE A WONDERFUL FAMILY AND BECAME A CLOSE PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WHEN I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL I JOINED THE SERVICE AND I LOST TRACK OF THE FAMILY. AFTER I RETURNED TO ILLINOIS , OUR PATHS WOULD CROSS OVER THE YEARS. I WOULD SEE HIM IN CHAMPAIGN, DANVILLE, AND AT THE LPGA TOURNAMENT IN SPRINGFIELD. THEN WE LOST TRACK OF EACH OTHER UNTIL A MUTUAL FRIEND IN ARIZONA GOT US IN TOUCH BY E-MAIL.
YOUR HUSBAND AND FATHER WAS A GREAT GUY AND I KNOW YOU WILL MISS HIM. I ENJOYED HIS E-MAILS WITH HIS SILLY QUIZZES, SARCASTIC COMMENTS ABOUT ILLINOIS WEATHER AND THE GLOWING REPORTS OF ARIZONA WEATHER,AND, OF COURSE, THE ONES ABOUT HIS GRANDCHILDREN, OF WHOM HE WAS VERY PROUD.
I WILL MISS HIS WIT, HUMOR OF HIS E-MAILS AND HIS FRIENDSHIP.
TOM TAYLOR
CHAMPAIGN HIGH SCHOOL-’52
Annetta, Kim, Zack, Mark and Cory,
As I am still a little numb after finding out that Charles has passed, I have been flooded with memories of my time with him. After all, he is responsible for my career of the last 20 years. He told me that he wanted to teach me the mortgage business as he knew it, not they way they teach it. Which he did. He took a chance with me when the mortgage industry was not at its best. Later when I questioned a situation, I ended up thinking of him and ask, “What would Chuck do?” Which would be the smartest answer I could come up with. We laughed, and laughed even more. In the middle of a slow afternoon, he would quiz me about a new guideline or circumstance. Then follow it up with an edgy joke. Which I usually rolled my eyes at him and laughed out of his sight. In late 1999 when he told me he was going to retire to his home office, I told him it was about time, since he was getting to old to drive anyway! Our friendship didn’t end with me getting a new job. I remember how he told me he would have coffee and doughnuts waiting for me if I got out to the Fort early enough on Saturday morning to play Keno with him. I did that a few too many times.
More recent, I recall hearing his voice around the corner from my new desk, here at AZDFI. I walked up behind him and asked “Baker, what the hell are you doing here, causing more problems?” He glanced down at me and with that unforgetable laugh, said “Well Andrea they actually allowed you to work here?” That was December 2010. I saw him a few time last year and the last time was when he renewed his Broker’s license in November. Never entered my mind that would be the last. As so many before me cited, “Gone but not forgotten” sentiment, I’d like to say, Gone but never to be replaced. Thank you for your kindness and friendship Charles, I will never forget you.
Andrea Rumohr
To the Baker Family,
Kim, Mark, and Cory, So sorry to hear of your father’s passing. What a great tribute to him this site is!! My Grandmother worked at Baker’s when it first came to Hoopeston. I played volleyball with Kim in High School, was (still am) the same age as Mark, and knew Cory (but not very well). I loved reading his “life story”, ESPECIALLY the last paragraph. Your statements made me cry, Mark. Can we all only hope that our children think of us the same way, as you thought of your dad. I’m sure with that kind of attitude, you can accomplish anything. I didn’t really know your mother, but I’m sure she takes great solace in knowing that you are all there for her. So sorry for all your loses, and may your great memories of your father bring you comfort.
Pete & Teresa Sollars
I just read your husband’s obituary in the online News-Gazette. I had no idea that your husband, Charles, was the son of my long-ago employers, who I always called Mr. and Mrs. Baker
I worked at both Rantoul stores off and on, part-time and temporarily full-time between 1955 and 1963. What a nice couple, tall and good looking. Charles does indeed look very much like his Dad.
With heartfelt sympathy to you and your family, Wanza
As a young girl growing up in Hoopeston, Illinois I thought of Chuck Baker as the “King of Main Street”. His great stature and personality would light up a room! It is my good fortune to have known the Baker family and be a friend of Mark’s. We are blessed to have fond memories of Chuck.
My sympathy,
Cathy Hatfield
So sad to hear, I remember going over to his house with my parents and them all playing bridge. I do remember one time exactly, he came in with scotch tape and taped up my mothers slip strap, cause it was always hanging down. Miss you Kim and your family!
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