Obituary of George Allen Baker

George A. Baker, 68, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 13, 2011 at Lakeland Continuing Care in St. Joseph, Michigan. He was born on February 28, 1943 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the late Jacob G. and Margaret E. (Fry) Baker-Czuk. George was raised by his mother and step-father Edward Czuk. On April 25, 1975 George married Rita Laird at a ceremony in South Bend. George, or as most of his friends called him "Baker", was very active for many years in the community. He was a member of the Niles Elks Lodge and participated in the Niles VFW. He owned and operated South Bend Cash Registry and was a master at fixing cash registers. In his free time he enjoyed three-wheeling, snowmobiling, fishing, golfing, traveling up north and looking at old cars. He was a member of the American Street Rod Association and the Old Boys Toys Club. George is survived by his wife Rita Baker of Niles, who cared for George for almost twenty years, a son Michael A. Baker of Niles, two daughters Kimberly R. Baker of Niles, Stacey A. Baker of Niles, two brothers David (Donna) Baker of Kalamazoo, Phillip (Ramona) Czuk of Schoolcraft, two sisters Kathy Jo Czuk of Kalamazoo and Carol Cowper of Kalamazoo. He also has two foster children at home to which he loved greatly. Friends and family will gather to celebrate Baker's life on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Brown Funeral Home at 521 E. Main Street in Niles, with visitation beginning one hour prior. Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo or write a letter of condolence may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles. Memorial contributions may be made in George's memory to the American Heart Association.