Jack L. Baker, 83, North Manchester, and formerly of Fort Wayne, passed away on Nov. 21, 2020, at Timbercrest Healthcare Center, North Manchester.

Jack was born just east of North Manchester on Nov. 19, 1937, to the late John L. and Ruby V. (Westafer) Baker. The fifth oldest of eight children, Jack loved the times he and his siblings worked together in the family’s large garden and relaxed by eating homemade ice cream with relatives.

Jack graduated from Chester High School in 1956 and from Manchester College in 1960, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education. Jack later furthered his education and received his master’s degree in secondary education from Ball State University in 1967.

He shaped young minds in business education at Warsaw High School for 11 years before moving to Fort Wayne, where he taught at Wayne High School. He taught there for 27 years before retiring in 1998. Jack was a lifetime member of the National Education Association, and after retiring from teaching, he volunteered his time for hospice in Fort Wayne for two years.

Jack married his high school sweetheart, Betty L. Williams, on Nov. 23, 1957. The two were wed for 55 years before Betty passed away on April 1, 2013. During their blissful life together, Jack and Betty had four children, Dawn, Greg, Jon and Amie.

When the children were young, the family took a camping trip every summer, visiting national parks. Jack and Betty enjoyed traveling together, taking trips to Europe, Washington, D.C., and Big Bend National Park in Texas, an extra special place for them. On Sundays, Jack and Betty attended Emmanuel Community Church, Fort Wayne, where they were members.

The loving memory of Jack L. Baker will be forever cherished by his sons, Greg A. (Samantha) Baker, LaOtto, and Jon L. (Tricia) Baker, Bluffton; daughters Dawn M. (Aaron) Green, Greenville, Ohio, and Amie L. Baker, Fort Wayne; brothers Buford and Jim Baker, both of North Manchester; sisters Peggy Workman, North Manchester, Judy (Dennis) Carlson, Middlebury, Linda (Mike) Sumpter, Warsaw, and Debbie Gay, Columbia City; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and brother Russell Baker.

A celebration of Jack L. Baker’s life will be at a later date.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Jack L. Baker, memorial contributions may be made to the Timbercrest Charitable Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 501, North Manchester, IN 46962, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 E. 91st St., Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240.

Arrangements are entrusted to McKee Mortuary. Condolences may be emailed to mckeemortuary.com.