Frank Junior Baker

Frank Junior Baker, 92, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, January 10, 2023. Frank was born April 12, 1930 in Rush County, Indiana, to Frank Grover and Zelpha Ann Harrell Baker. He grew up on the farm in Henry and Decatur Counties in Indiana. He graduated from Sand Creek High School in 1948 and attended Johnson Bible College, Knoxville, TN (now Johnson University) being part of the class of 1953. On June 18, 1950, Frank married his life-long sweetheart, Iva Alice Mineer. Together they spent their lives in full time ministry, serving in Christian Churches in Mortons Gap, KY, Whitewater, IN, Keensburg, IL, Moscow, IN, Poseyville, IN (Old Union CC), New Lisbon, IN, and Cadiz, IN. After retirement, he continued to serve at the Woodlawn Christian Church, serving as an elder, teaching a Sunday School class, participating in mission trips and retreats and helping with the food pantry. Frank also worked at Mission Services Association and did supply preaching in the Knoxville area.

Frank is survived by three daughters: Frieda (John) Pickering, Cynthia (William) Claar, and Penny (Jody) Rood; seven grandsons: Luke (fiancé: Mary Hobbs) Pickering, Roy (Amy) Claar, Arther (Kylie) Claar, David (Carlee)Pickering, Casey Rood, Corban (Jodi) Rood, and Cameron Rood; six great-granddaughters: Hanna Pickering, Emma Claar, Cayla Claar, Molly Claar, Cierra Claar, and Sutton Pickering plus Allie Jean Rood – due in April; one great-grandson: Cason Rood; and many treasured nieces and nephews.

Frank was predeceased by his wife, Alice, a son, Frank Leslie Baker, his parents, a grandson, Jesse Hamilton Rood; his brothers: Loren Baker, Willard Baker, Henry Baker, and Glen Baker; and his sisters: Gertrude Wechsler, Edith Carmany, Effie Willis, and his twin, Frieda Ann Baker who died at birth.

The family will announce a celebration of life in the spring.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Frank and Alice Baker Scholarship Fund at Johnson University, 7900 Johnson Drive, Knoxville, TN 37998, or Woodlawn Christian Church, 4339 Woodlawn Pike, Knoxville, TN 37920.

Arrangements handled through Berry Funeral Home, Knoxville, TN. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.berryfuneralhome.com for the Baker family.