Melvin Arthur Baker, 87, of Indian Reserve Road, Alpena, passed away at Aspen Ridge Retirement Village in Gaylord on Saturday, February 14, 2009.

Melvin was born in Alpena on September 7, 1921 to the late Romeo and Delia (Bishop) Baker. He was a graduate of St. Anne Catholic School and served in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Fanshaw Bay from 1942 to 1946. On November 23, 1946 he married Catherine Bushey at St. Anne Catholic Church. Catherine, his wife of 61 years, preceded him in death on March 22, 2008. Melvin was a lifelong Alpena resident and worked his entire career at Besser Manufacturing Company, retiring in 1984.

He was a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church in Ossineke and the Men's Ushers Club.

Surviving are 5 children, Bonnie Brilinski-Leonard (Don) of Saginaw, Karen Werth (Tom) of Riverton, Wyoming, Patrick Baker (Pauleen) of Dutch John, Utah, Gerald Baker (Mary) of Sheridan, Paul Baker of Lake Fenton; 7 grandchildren, Beth, Scott, Janella, Jon, Travis, Megan, Jaris; 3 step-grandchildren, Gene, Jerry, Randy; 4 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marie Marzean, Betty Rouleau both Alpena; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Julian of Alpena.

Preceding him in death was his son, Michael, in 1999.

Friends may call at the Bannan Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2-8 p.m. where a parish pray service will take place at 7 p.m. and a military service by V.F.W. Post 2496 will be held at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will continue Wednesday at St. Catherine Catholic Church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Stan Bereda officiating.

Interment: St. Catherine Church Cemetery

Memorials:
Aspen Ridge Retirement Village
1261 Village Parkway
Gaylord, MI 49735