Tom A. Baker
Tom A. Baker, 88 of Naperville passed away on February 11 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Chicago on Oct. 12, 1929 to Sara (Jervis) Baker and Francis Edward Baker. He attended Taylor Elementary and Bowen High School in Chicago. He served in the Armed Forces from 1951 to 1953 and was stationed in Korea. He and Charlotte (Koche) were married in Chicago on Sept. 1, 1956 and celebrated 61 years together. Tom completed his undergraduate work in industrial arts at Northern Illinois University in 1959.He later earned a master’s degree in vocational/industrial education at the University of Illinois (Urbana). Tom began a 34-year teaching career at Plainfield High School where he taught woodworking, drafting and computer assisted drafting until he retired in 1993. A college wrestler, Tom began the wrestling program at PHS in 1960. He coached the sport for 25 years before turning it over to one of his former PHS wrestlers. He also served as class sponsor, chairman of homecoming activities, Student Council advisor and assistant football coach. Tom taught adult woodworking classes for Joliet Junior College and the Plainfield Park District in the PHS woodshop. When the Plainfield Athletic department started the Hall of Fame, Tom was one of the first to be inducted into it. His many awards include the Richard Ira Jones Memorial. He is survived by his wife Charlotte (Koche) Baker, daughters Kim (David) Conley, and Ellen (Tom) Turnbull and grandchildren Megan Turnbull, Jacob Conley, Kelly Turnbull, and Taylor Conley. Also surviving is his sister, Gloria Bradley of Vero Beach, Fla., and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Edward Baker, and sister Dorothy Jahnke. Family and friends to gather Friday, February 16 for Memorial Visitation 3-8 p.m. at Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services 15219 S. Joliet Rd., Plainfield, IL 60544. Additional visitation is Saturday, February 17, 10 a.m. until time of Memorial Service at 11 a.m. at Plainfield United Methodist Church 15114 S. Illinois St. Plainfield, IL 60544. Interment will take place at Plainfield Township Cemetery at a later date. For those wishing to leave a lasting tribute to Tom’s life, donations to Seasons Hospice Foundation at 8537 Solution Center, Chicago, IL 60677, or the Plainfield United Methodist Church Samaritan Fund at 15114 S. Illinois St. Plainfield, IL 60544 would be appreciated. For more information, please call (815)436-9221 or visit www.overman jones.com.