Donald E. Baker, 66, of Springfield, passed away Saturday morning, July 11, 2008 in Community Hospital.

He was born in Urbana, Ohio on March 9, 1942 the son of William and Mildred (Fetters) Baker.

Don graduated from Graham High School in 1961. After 41 years of service at William Bayley/Folger Adams Company, Don proudly retired as a computer programmer in Lemont, Illinois. Throughout the years Don enjoyed the friendships he created while building race cars, trap shooting, fishing (tall tales), and bowling. His memberships included the Kiser Lake Sportsmen Club, Ducks Unlimited, and the NRA. While enjoying retirement, he loved to pick on his wife, Dottie while watching NASCAR and playing with their cats, Grady and Miss Lilly.

Don is survived by his wife of 43 years, Dorothy (LaPorte) Baker; his son and daughter-in-law, Corbin and Jean Lawson and their daughter, Victoria of Dallas, Texas; three sisters, Phyllis Cornell of Springfield, June Stagner and her husband, Kenny of Christiansburg, and Jane Frey and her husband, Fred of West Jefferson; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, aunts, uncles, and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Frank Cornell.

A gathering to celebrate Don's life will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday in the LITTLETON & RUE FUNERAL HOME.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.