FAIRVIEW PARK, OH/SPARTA-Paul G. Baker passed away in his home on Friday, July 28, 2023, in Fairview Park, OH after a long illness.
Paul was born on June 23, 1950, in Sparta, WI, to George Baker and Maxine (Heath) Baker. He was proud of his home town and was actively involved in the local catholic church serving as an altar boy. After graduating from Sparta High School, he attended Western Wisconsin Technical College in La Crosse, WI, to complete his degree in Marketing. Paul met his beloved wife and best friend, Sandra, in the spring of 1968 while in school, and the two were wed in 1971, just two weeks before Paul had to report for basic training for the Wisconsin National Guard. He would serve in the guard for 7 years.
Paul worked for Bob Johnson Mobil Oil company starting as an oil delivery technician. His strong work ethic as well as his intelligent, gregarious nature eventually lead to a position with the sales team helping to set up and design workflow for gas stations in the region. His contributions were recognized with several awards. He was involved in his community, serving as the Boy Scout Troop Leader for his region and running for local office.
Paul had an active mind, giving him a love of history-especially westerns and John Wayne movies-gardening, wine-making, and doing craft and home projects with his children. He completed a family genealogy tracing his ancestors through Canada and Europe. He spent winter months planning a garden that was full of flowers in the summer. The family victory garden produced a huge crop of preserves he prepared with his wife. His basement workshop contained a treasure trove of materials to make model trains, school diorama projects, and home decorations. At Christmas, he helped test new recipes for apple pie cookies or chocolate covered citrus peels. He could be frequently found in the wee hours of the night reading the encyclopedia or watching old black and white movies on TV.
Paul deeply loved his family, avidly spoiling his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sandra (Rolbiecki); his children, Corey (Noreen) of Fairview Park, OH, and Sarah (Aaron) Pavao of Madison, WI; his grandchildren Max, Frances Mae, and Maddox; his siblings, Dennis (Glenice) Baker of Rogers, Ark.; Maureen Richardson of Sparta; and Heather (Eric) Roellig of Sparta. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David.
Arrangements will be held Thursday, October 5, 2023, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, WI. Father Eric Berns will officiate. Family and friends are invited for visitation preceding services beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the church. Services will follow at 11:00 a.m., then burial at the cemetery and luncheon afterwards at St. Patrick’s.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Dementia Society of America (www.DementiaSociety.org/donate) or the Partnership to End Addiction (https://drugfree.org/other-ways-to-give/ )
Berry-McGreevey-Martens Funeral Homes and Cremation Service of Westlake, OH and Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, WI are assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
