Kenneth Leroy Baker, 82 of Greenville, Ohio, passed away on Sunday October 1, 2023 at Upper Valley Medical Center, Troy, Ohio. He was born on August 21, 1941 in Greenville, Ohio, the son of the late Clarence and Betty Jane (Hollopeter) Baker.
Kenneth was a 1959 graduate of Greenville High School; he had several jobs in his early years, working at Corning Glass in Greenville until 1982; during that time he was president of the union (local and international); he then became a United Methodist Minister, he served churches in Darke, Morgan, Meigs, and Mercer counties before retiring and moving back home to Greenville. In 2020 he went to Village Green Health Campus, where he continued to preach on Sundays in the home. If any residents or families wanted someone to have prayer with them he would be there for them. During his ministry, he was involved in many things, Chaplain at hospitals, worked with alcohol and drug patient’s organizations, clothing and food pantries being president of some.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Janice (Hoblit) Baker on November 5, 2018; his daughter, Teresa (Baker) Hiestand; his sister, Mary Jane Heath; his brother in laws, Ronald Hollopeter, Wilbur, Larry, and Rodney Hoblit; and his sister in law, Louise (Hoblit) Hunley.
Kenneth is survived by his children, Rick (HyunMi) Baker of Racine, Ohio, Jana (Rob) Holland of Greenville; his grandchildren, Josh (Mandy) Baker, Jamie (Hannah) Baker, Kris Wentworth, Christopher Baker, Ashley (Braden) Spencer, Austin (Sydney) Baker; his great grandchildren, McKenna, Weston, Kenzie, Kolton, and Ronin; his sister, Janet Sue (Baker) Hollopeter; his brother in laws, Clifford, Carl, Robert “Don” (Sue) Hoblit, Dale Hoblit; his sister in laws, Ann Fair, Carolyn (Ronald) Stamps, Marian (Charlie) Miller, Lois Hoblit, Delsie Hoblit; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Friday October 6, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville, Ohio with Rev. Marla Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Mote Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday October 5, 2023 and 1 hour prior to services on Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Village Green Activity Fund or to the family.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.zecharbailey.com for the Baker family.
In high school he was proud to be on the backstage crew. He was voted as King of his 1959 graduating class. Kenny was a huge Elvis fan, he hitchhiker to Troy, Ohio to see him. He also impersonated Elvis in his younger years. He played donkey baseball and he had a cousin that was a professional wrestler and Kenny would fill in with him as a tag team. He coached his son and grandsons in baseball. He helped get the Christian Athletes of Darke County started. Kenny was so proud to be chosen as one of the Young Men Of America in 1968. He has the book for proof because he didnt think people would believe him. He was always involved with youth before and after becoming a minister. He loved to roller skate, he met the love of his life at the roller rink. April 13,1959 he married Janice. They was married 59 years before Janice passed away. Family was everything to him, he would do whatever he could for them. For their 50th Anniversary they took a 2-3 week trip out west with Janice brother and sister in law, Wilbur and Lois Hoblit. He loved to travel whether it was planned or spur of the moment trips. They saw Little Jimmy Dickens and Whispering Bill Anderson and had their picture taken with them. Kenny was on a mens bowling league and on a couples league with Janice. A little over year after Janice passed he went into The Village Green Healthcare Campus. He was involved in everything that he could. He preached every Sunday afternoon unless he wasn't feeling good. If any residents or family wanted prayer any time Kenny was there for them. The residents and staff was his second family. He didn't know a stranger, he would talk to anyone. He dressed up as Elvis during the 50's Theme Week. He will be greatly missed by his family and his second family at Village Green. He served his Lord and Savior till his last breath. Family was gathered at Kenny's bedside as he passed.
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