Obituary for Danny Baker
Dennis “Danny” Baker, 72, of Charlottesville, passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
He was born on October 2, 1950 in Richmond, Indiana, a son of the late Lenora (Ramsey) Kline and Russell Baker.
Danny was raised in Knightstown and graduated from Knightstown High School in 1969. He worked for Ford Motor Company in Indianapolis for several years. Danny married Crystal Brown on March 12, 1976 and enjoyed 47 years of marriage. Since Danny was a child, he had a love of Law Enforcement and joined the Knightstown Police Department. In 1982, Danny graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. He became Chief of Police in Knightstown followed by Town Marshall of Carthage and later retired from both. He also served as a jailor and community corrections officer for the Hancock County Sheriff Department. Danny was a member of the Knightstown Friends Church.
He loved fishing, camping and attending auctions. A favorite place to vacation each year with family was in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Danny loved Knightstown and always said “Knightstown raised me and took care of me when I was young and I always wanted to give back to Knightstown.”
Those left to cherish Danny’s memory include his wife of 47 years, Crystal Baker of Charlottesville; four sons, Eric “Zeek” (Robin) Magee of Laurel, Shawn Baker of Kennard, David Baker of Columbus, Keith (Michelle) Baker of Knightstown; a daughter, Holly Reece (Brandon) of Knightstown; 15 grandchildren, Aubrie Manning, Jeremiah Baker, Dominick Baker, Sophia Baker, Camille Baker (Elroy), Matthew Baker, Vettica Clancy, Therion Baker, James Baker, Angeline (Bryan) Feilen, Mika (Kevin) Powell, Jordan and Madison Baker, Kamryn and Gunnar Reece; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Michael (Glenda) Carmichael of Alexandria; a sister, Tammy (Brian) Harmon of New Palestine; several nieces and nephews, and his inseparable life-long best friends, Larry and Vonda Lucas of New Castle and Mike Wilson of Carthage.
In addition to his parents, Danny was preceded in death by a brother, Ronnie Carmichael; his in-laws, Charles and Lula Brown; a sister-in-law, Cheryl (Bill) Gossett, and a brother-in-law, Jeff Brown.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Heritage Funeral Care in Knightstown with Pastor Tony Darling officiating. Burial will follow at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown.
Friends may call from 4 – 8 pm, Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at the funeral home.
You may send the family a personal condolence at www.heritagefuneralcares.com.
The Hunt family and Heritage staff are honored to care for the family of Danny Baker.
He was born on October 2, 1950 in Richmond, Indiana, a son of the late Lenora (Ramsey) Kline and Russell Baker.
Danny was raised in Knightstown and graduated from Knightstown High School in 1969. He worked for Ford Motor Company in Indianapolis for several years. Danny married Crystal Brown on March 12, 1976 and enjoyed 47 years of marriage. Since Danny was a child, he had a love of Law Enforcement and joined the Knightstown Police Department. In 1982, Danny graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. He became Chief of Police in Knightstown followed by Town Marshall of Carthage and later retired from both. He also served as a jailor and community corrections officer for the Hancock County Sheriff Department. Danny was a member of the Knightstown Friends Church.
He loved fishing, camping and attending auctions. A favorite place to vacation each year with family was in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Danny loved Knightstown and always said “Knightstown raised me and took care of me when I was young and I always wanted to give back to Knightstown.”
Those left to cherish Danny’s memory include his wife of 47 years, Crystal Baker of Charlottesville; four sons, Eric “Zeek” (Robin) Magee of Laurel, Shawn Baker of Kennard, David Baker of Columbus, Keith (Michelle) Baker of Knightstown; a daughter, Holly Reece (Brandon) of Knightstown; 15 grandchildren, Aubrie Manning, Jeremiah Baker, Dominick Baker, Sophia Baker, Camille Baker (Elroy), Matthew Baker, Vettica Clancy, Therion Baker, James Baker, Angeline (Bryan) Feilen, Mika (Kevin) Powell, Jordan and Madison Baker, Kamryn and Gunnar Reece; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Michael (Glenda) Carmichael of Alexandria; a sister, Tammy (Brian) Harmon of New Palestine; several nieces and nephews, and his inseparable life-long best friends, Larry and Vonda Lucas of New Castle and Mike Wilson of Carthage.
In addition to his parents, Danny was preceded in death by a brother, Ronnie Carmichael; his in-laws, Charles and Lula Brown; a sister-in-law, Cheryl (Bill) Gossett, and a brother-in-law, Jeff Brown.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Heritage Funeral Care in Knightstown with Pastor Tony Darling officiating. Burial will follow at Glen Cove Cemetery in Knightstown.
Friends may call from 4 – 8 pm, Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at the funeral home.
You may send the family a personal condolence at www.heritagefuneralcares.com.
The Hunt family and Heritage staff are honored to care for the family of Danny Baker.