Thomas Baker Obituary

Thomas Michael Baker or "Mike" as he was known to most passed away Wednesday May 28, 2025, at Mason Health Care in Warsaw, IN. and is now rejoicing and praising his Jesus in Heaven. Mike was born on January 28, 1951 in Winchester, Indiana, to Max Gordon Baker and Mary Lou Hyre. He graduated from Warsaw High School in 1969. Mike has an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Design Technology Magna Cum Laude from Ivy Tech State College in May 1998 and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Mike married Cheryl Boyer Slone on February 11, 1995, and celebrated 30 years of marriage together.
Mike was involved in the communities where he lived, becoming an Eagle Scout at age 14, he delivered newspapers, he was an Assistant Scout Master.
Mike was the "Gospel Guitarist" where he played his guitar and sang gospel music in nursing homes in Warsaw and in North Manchester for several years.
Mike has been a member of the Silver Creek Church of God since 1996, where he held multiple positions including Worship Leader, Adult Sunday School teacher, Teacher of 4–5-year-olds, Junior Youth Leader, and Deacon. He especially loved the children, and they loved him. He loved getting down on his knees so he was at their level so he could look them in the eye. He loved teaching them about Jesus and just playing games with them. Simon Says and Duck, Duck, Goose were a couple of their favorites. Most of them called him Papa Mike as that is what his granddaughter April called him, so he became everyone's Papa, and he loved it.
Mike was always supportive of his children and grandchildren's interests. He went to band concerts for his son Matt and daughter Marsha. He would go to basketball games to watch Marsha cheer as well. He was sure to be at all April's school and summer events. Basketball and Football where April was a Cheerleader. Wrestling, T-Ball and Softball at Mentone Youth League where he was always available to help coach and support the team. Some of April's teammates also called him Papa Mike. He would always ask his grandkids that live in Kansas about what they were up to and how school was going for them.
Mike's wife Cheryl has a love of county fairs, festivals and concerts so they would spend a lot of weekends traveling to area towns to support their festivals and car shows and sampling all the great food that goes along with it.
Mike loved to watch Formula 1 Car races. He shared this love with his son, Matt, and they went to Mid-Ohio racetrack to watch several races and went to Daytona, Florida a few times to watch the Daytona 24-hour race. He even went to a couple Nascar races.
Mike worked at Kimble-Glass Owens-Illinois in Boggs Industrial Park in Warsaw for 15 years, Mike was a Volunteer Fireman with the Warsaw Fire Department for 18 years. He was a member of the Kosciusko County Hazmat Team for 5 years. Mike worked part time at Walmart primarily assembling bicycles for 5 years. The last 30 years of Mike's working career were at Osborn Manufacturing of Warsaw, where he retired from his working career in 2017.
Mike loved Country Line Dancing (until his health no longer allowed it), he loved fly fishing, metal working, and working in his workshop in the garage.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Max and Mary Lou Baker, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Mike is survived by his wife Cheryl Baker; children Matt (Melissa) Baker, Ft Wayne, IN, Marsha (Devin) Hughey, Tonganoxie, KS. (Whom he shares a birthday with), Mark Slone Westville, IN, Brian Slone, Silver Lake, IN; granddaughter April Slone, Burket, IN who they raised from the time she was 4; grandchildren Destiny Harding, Alex Baker, Morgan Baker, Liam Hughey, Max Hughey, Braxton Slone, April Slone, Elijah Villa, Gracelyn Slone, Emma Slone; Great grandchild Zoey Schue; and brothers Larry (Rita) Baker, Warsaw, Gary Baker, Texas, John Baker, N. Webster, and Jim (Teresa) Baker, Round Lake Beach, IL.
The funeral service will take place at 11 am, Thursday, June 5, 2025 at Silver Creek Church of God 15252 E 100 S, Silver Lake, Indiana with Pastor Thomas Craig and David Sullivan officiating.
The interment will take place in the Silver Creek Cemetery, Silver Lake, Indiana.
Visitation hours will be held from 4 pm to 7 pm, Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at King Memorial Home 101 North Tucker Street Mentone, Indiana. Please be advised that with the Egg Festival starting, entrance to the funeral home may be easier from Jackson Street (one block north of St. Rd. 25) to Tucker Street.
Memorial contributions can be made to Silver Creek Church of God 15252 E 100 S, Silver Lake, IN 46982.