Francis Joseph Baker, 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, after struggling with a recurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was the husband of 56 years to Mary Gloria (Small) Baker, who he married on November 9, 1957. Born March 22, 1928, in Hanover, he was the son of the late James and Frances (Hemler) Baker. Frank graduated from Delone Catholic High School in 1946 and went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1946 through 1948. He became a certified newspaper linotype operator, completing his training in Philadelphia, working 20 years at the Gettysburg Times and then 25 years for the Evening Sun. He retired in 1990. Frank was a member of Annunciation BVM Catholic Church in McSherrystown, where he was a Eucharistic Minister, an usher, a member of the cemetery committee and also would deliver communion to the sick. He was a member of the McSherrystown Home Assoc., and a life member of the McSherrystown Knights of Columbus where he was a Third Degree Knight and served as Grand Knight from 1991 to 1994. Frank was a beloved husband, father, uncle, brother and friend. He led a life of service and his mission was to help others. He volunteered thousands of hours throughout his life to Cub Scout Pack 107 and Boy Scout Troop 107, the Delone Band Boosters, Annunciation Church and during retirement, at the Red Cross, Hanover Hospital and Meals on Wheels. Family, friends, church and the community could always count on his assistance and skills whenever needed. He loved traveling and going on vacations and enjoyed woodworking and built furniture and items that have become treasured family heirlooms. Surviving in addition to his wife are four children, Ann Fuhrman of Hanover, Robert Baker and wife Peggy of Elkridge, Md., Catherine Feerrar and husband Wally of Gaithersburg, Md., and Patricia Smith and husband James of Hanover; 11 grandchildren, Jason, Melissa and Elizabeth Fuhrman, Stephanie Baker, Kimberly Trexler, Amanda, Andrew, and Katerina Feerrar, Jessica Borromeo, Lindsey Smith and Brett Smith; six great-grandchildren, Amia, Zachary, Kayley, Dakota, Tanner and Ryder; a sister, Jeanne Fair of York; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by five siblings, Bernard and James Baker, Rita Kijek, Patricia Malone and Teresa Brissette. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26, 2014 at Annunciation Church, McSherrystown, with the Rev. Lawrence W. Sherdel celebrating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery.

Published in Evening Sun on July 24, 2014

Added July 24, 2014 at 4:10 a.m.