Roger A. Baker, 62, South Whitley, Ind., passed away at 3:53 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind.

He was born Nov. 1, 1950, in Fort Wayne, Ind., to Arthur R. and Ethel Mae (Wine) Baker. He graduated from South Whitley High School in 1969 and Huntington College in 1973 where he received a B.A. Degree in elementary education.  On Aug. 21, 1970 he married Mary E. Deneve.

Roger taught fifth and sixth grade Social Studies for two years. He then worked in customer service at Heckman Bindery, North Manchester, Ind., for several years. He was then employed at Wabash Technologies as a supervisor for 12 years and was employed at Group Dekko, Merriam, Ind., as a supervisor for 10 years. He was most recently employed at Bulldog Battery, Wabash, Ind.

He and his wife, Mary, home-schooled their two sons. He was an avid gardener his whole life. During the past 20 years he developed and tended a 5-acre orchard on the family farm, which he deeply loved. He grafted several of the trees and seeded many of the plants at Country View Greenhouse which is owned by his son, Ryan.

He was a member of North Manchester Missionary Church, North Manchester.

He is survived by his wife: Mary Baker, South Whitley; and two sons: Mark A. Baker and Ryan E. Baker, both of South Whitley.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at McKee Mortuary, 1401 SR 114 W., North Manchester, and from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, at Missionary Church, 806 SR 114 E., North Manchester. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. Sunday in the church. Pastor Dan Binkley will officiate. Burial will be in South Whitley Cemetery, South Whitley.

Memorials may be made to Missionary Church, 806 SR 114 E., North Manchester, IN 46962.