LOIS EVELYN BAKER

Lois Evelyn Baker, age 91, of Columbia City, IN passed away at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at Parkview Oaks, Columbia City. Born October 16, 1920 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Charles C. and Eletha M. (Egolf) Nichols.

She has resided her entire life in the Whitley County area, attending Thorncreek Center Elementary School and Columbia City High School.On March 22, 1947, she married Ralph E. Baker in Syracuse. She worked at Gripco, South Whitley, and retired April, 1983 after 21 years of service as a shipping clerk.She was a member of Columbia City Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary #1906 and Columbia City Post #5582 Veterans of Foreign Wars, Blue River Community Church where she served as the pianist for over 13 years and also was a member of the Mary Dell Circle of the church.

Survivors include her daughter, Julia Ann (Galen) Gilbert of Columbia City; 4 grandsons, David E. (Sally) Gilbert, Larry D. (Sharon) Gilbert of Columbia City, Michael W. (Elizabeth) Gilbert of Plainfield, James L. (Shannon) Gilbert of Auburn; 8 great-grandchildren, Matthew and Melissa Gilbert of Columbia City, Christopher Gilbert of Florida, Cory Gilbert of Columbia City, Dustin Pulley of Wisconsin, Ross Pulley of Bloomington, Aaron Gilbert of Lafayette, Lucas Gilbert of Plainfield and Elizabeth Gilbert of Auburn; 8 great great grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph E. Baker, 4 sisters, Eletha Nichols Mathias, Norma Nichols Thomas, Georgia Nichols Stephan, Blanche Patton and 4 brothers, Paul, Ralph, Kenneth and Charles T. Nichols.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 28, 2012 from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at the funeral home with Pastors Curtiss Johnson and Kent Green officiating. Burial will follow at South Whitley Cemetery.Memorials may be given in memory of Mrs. Baker to Blue River Community Church. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.