Kenneth Baker

Cobleskill-Kenneth L. Baker, 94, of Cobleskill, died Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at New York State Veterans' Home in Oxford, NY following a brief illness.

Born May 8, 1920 in Esperance, he was the son of William H. and Emma L. (Jones) Baker.

Ken was a United States Army veteran, proudly serving his country in the 2nd Armed Division from 1942 until receiving an honorable discharge in 1945. He was decorated with the Purple Heart, good conduct ribbon, and five battle stars on EAMETO ribbon. He was a member of the American Legion Post 2009 in Bradenton, FL.

Ken retired from Sysco Foods where he was a truck driver for many years. He was an avid reader, and enjoyed boating, fishing, and hunting, as well as wintering in Florida for many years. Ken was a member of the East Worcester Fish & Game Club.

As a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, family brought Ken the most pleasure.

His wife, Mildred (Brown) Baker, who died December of 1999 and his stepson, George Ryder, predeceased him.

Survivors include his four granddaughters: Barbara (Gary) Munson of Unadilla, Rhonda (Roger) Carey of Oneonta, Connie (Larry) Bradt of Carlisle, and Yvonne (Jim) Herman of Esperance; eight great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; his niece, Hollis (Jim) Relyea of Schenectady and several other nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 4, 2015 at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill. Officiating will be Rev. Bert Mayne of the Carlisle Presbyterian Church. Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held at the funeral home on Friday from 6 to 8 PM with a military prayer service at 7:30 PM. Burial will be in Zion Rural Cemetery with military honors at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Legion Fred L. Stilson Post 57, PO Box 252, Cobleskill, NY 12043.

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