Herman Baker, Sr., 75, of Berrien Springs died Friday, July 30, 2010 at the University of Michigan Hospitals in Ann Arbor, Mich. following an illness.

Herman was born March 11, 1935 in Marked Tree, Ark. to Johnnie Sr. and Nellie (Irby) Baker. Herman proudly served his country in the United States Army, where on July 22, 1958 in El Paso, Texas he married Courtney Morris. To this union, three sons and a daughter were born.

Herman attended Wayne State University and Lake Michigan College. He worked for several years at Robbins Brothers Funeral Home in Benton Harbor, where he assisted families; at Clark Equipment Co. in the graphic arts department; as a maintenance worker at Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac; and for the past several years as a salesman and inspector for Howard Pest Control.

His hobbies included fishing, cooking, socializing with family and friends. Herman knew how to share a good joke and loved being with people. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and willingness to help others.

Herman is survived by his former wife, Courtney Morris Baker, of Dowagiac; a daughter, Sylvia Baker, of Las Vegas, Nev.; three sons, Robert (Betty) Baker Sr. and Darryl Baker, of Dowagiac; and Herman “Sonny” (Diane) Baker, of Kalamazoo; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Katherine (Reger) Smith, of Berrien Springs, Betty (Beverly) Baker-Shreve, of Chatham, Ontario and Priscilla (Greg) Carey of Elkmont, Ala.; two brothers, Vernon (Geneva) Baker, of Benton Harbor and Charles (Melitta) Baker, of Hudsonville, Mich.; and a number of nieces, nephews and great

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy and Johnnie Baker II.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010 at the Pioneer Memorial Church, Anthony Castelbuono Youth Chapel on the campus of Andrews University. Friends are invited to visit with the family immediately following the service at the home of his son, Darryl Baker, 60506 Woodland Drive, Dowagiac, Mich.

Memorials in his memory may be made to the family for distribution to designated charities at a later date.