Clarence Baker

Clarence B. “Hank” Baker, Sr. of Limekiln Road, Chambersburg and formerly of Shippensburg, died on Monday, January 9, 2012 at his residence, after a brief illness. Born on March 13, 1929, he was the son of the late John and Laura Helm Baker. Hank honorably served his country in the U.S. Army, most notably in Guam. After returning from his military service, he spent his career as a plumber, retiring from Shippensburg University in 1991. In his younger years, Hank loved fishing, taking many fishing trips with friends to Canada. He and his wife Betty always enjoyed their camping trips to Tom’s Cove in Chincoteague, VA where they fished in the Chesapeake Bay. Hank was very active prior to his illness, having a particular fondness for gardening and woodworking. You could always count on his sweet tooth to prominently show itself at holiday meals, never turning down a good dessert.
Hank is survived by loving wife of nearly 60 years, Betty Gipe Baker, whom he married October 15, 1952; five children, Sandra Perry and husband Jere Sr., Patricia Robinson, Clarence B. “Hank” Jr. and wife Kay, Helen Jett, and John Baker and companion Teresa Ott. He is also survived by 2 brothers, Herman and Walter “Buzz” Baker; a sister Bessie Hamilton; 10 grandchildren, Jere Perry, Jr and wife, Tara, Elizabeth Darhower and husband, Ron, Christopher Robinson, Christina Wilkes and husband, Thomas, Christy Jo Ezell, Eric and Michael Jett, Amanda Baker, Jessica Rife and husband, Colby, and Nicole Baker; and 9 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, January 13, 2012 in the chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, with Rev. Paul B. Baker officiating. Interment will follow in Parklawns Memorial Gardens, where graveside military honors will be conducted by Charles Nitterhouse VFW Post 1599 Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Thursday, and one hour prior to the service on Friday.