Theodore Bakeman / Nov. 20, 1932-April 26, 2009

Published 8:11 pm Tuesday, April 28, 2009

By Staff
NILES – Theodore Bakeman, 76, of S. Third Street, Niles, died at 12:37 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 2009, at LaPorte Regional Health System, LaPorte, Ind., following an extended illness.
He was born Nov. 20, 1932, in Pokagon Township, son of Karl Bakeman and Rose Krohn Bakeman. He was a lifetime area resident.
He retired in 1991 after 41 years of service from Simplicity Pattern Co. in Niles.
Mr. Bakeman, who served in the U.S. Army, was a member of Dowagiac Conservation Club and of American Legion Post 26 in Niles.
He enjoyed woodworking, camping and fishing.
On June 9, 1953, at Manhattan, Kan., he married Darlene K. (Mallott) Bakeman. His wife survives.
Survivors also include: a daughter, Betty R. (Kenneth) Coquillard of Dowagiac; a daughter, Debra K. (Greg) Conley of Niles; a son, Scott Bakeman of Mishawaka, Ind.; a daughter, Kara K. (Justin) McGuire of Niles; a son, Kyle D. Bakeman of South Bend, Ind.; and a son, Travis T. Bakeman of Niles.
He also leaves: five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Janice Behnke of Dowagiac; a sister, Evelyn Williams of South Bend, Ind.; a brother, Charles Bakeman of Niles; a brother, Ronnie Bakeman of Dowagiac; a brother, Gerry Bakeman of Decatur; and a brother, Sonny Bakeman.
Two brothers precede him in death.
Funeral services will be at noon Friday, May 1, at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.
The Rev. Robert E. Jackson of First Church of God will officiate, with burial at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind.
Friends may call at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Relay for Life of Cass County, American Cancer Society, Great Lakes Chapter, 1400 W. Milham Ave., Portage, MI 49024.