Samuel E. Baker

Samuel E. Baker, 81, of West Springfield, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at his home. He was born in Erie on September 16, 1928, a son of the late Richard C. and Alice Strohmenger Baker and grandson of Irish immigrants, Samuel and Mary (Connell) Baker, of Bantry, Ireland.

Sam graduated from Acadamy High School in 1947 and attended Business Education at Gannon University. In the 1940's, he worked at Waldameer Park and is featured on their 100th anniversary film. He was active at the Springfield Firemans Carnival for 27 years at the main stand and is listed in the Albion Area Fair Honor Roll. He was a lifetime member of the Quarter Century Wireless Assoc. and the Radio Assoc. of Erie with the ham radio call of W3FIQ, and received the National Edison Award Citation for emergency work during the 1956 snowstorm. He was appointed as a Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff Coates in 1960. Sam lived his dreams through his music and trip to his ancestoral home on the Goat Path in Ireland. Country gospel music was his avocation, appearing locally as well as at Midnight Jamboree in Nashville; Renfro Valley; WWVA Wheeling, W. Va., and the staff at Ponderosa Country Music Park in Ohio. He was awarded a Presidential Citation as a member of the Erie Troubadours in 1971. He was employed at Tru Temper in Lake City as a tool & die maker for 30 years, retiring in 1996. He also owned and operated Sam's Bycycle Shop in West Springfield for 20 years. He attended the West Springfield Methodist Church.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son, Samuel E. "Buster" Baker; sisters, Mary Alice Dinges, Linda Balko, and Shirley Spiteri; and brothers, Boyd Baker and Richard C. Baker. He is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Evelyn M. Baker, whom he married July 13, 1947; daughter, Bonita S. Rea, of Erie; brother, Kenneth Baker and wife, Darlene, of Platea; grandchildren, Matthew and Mark Rea, and Chris, Michael, Candy, and Sammy Baker; many great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Daniel R. Edder Funeral Home, 309 Main St. East, Girard. Services will be held at the West Springfield Methodist Church on Satrurday at 11 a.m. Rev Robert Klingler officiating. Memorials may be made to the West Springfield Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 263 W.Springfield, PA 16443

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