Gary L. Baker, 83 of Van Wert, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, June 18, 2023, at the Van Wert Manor Nursing Home.

He was born on September 10, 1939, in Van Wert County, Ohio to the late Arnold Calvin Baker, Sr. and Anna L. (Benadum) Baker. On February 14, 1971 he married Wanda L. (Hurless) Baker who survives him.

Other family survivors include his daughter, Brenda (Dennis) Mengerink of Middle Point; seven grandchildren, Ashley (Jamie) Edwards, Shane (Lindsay) Shugart, Josten Mengerink, Christopher (Katie) Boroff and Kennedy (Tim) Rahrig, Colt Rice, and Emily Rice; nine great grandchildren and sister-in-law and caretaker, Gloria Wood.

Gary was the service manager at the former Bushong Ford Inc. then Bob Dunn Ford Inc. of Van Wert. He was a 1959 graduate of Van Wert High School and he loved spending time with his wife Wanda and family.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Becky L. Rice; one brother, Arnold  "Arnie" C. Baker and one sister, Alice M. Boley.

A memorial service will be held in honor of Gary at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home of Van Wert with John Rager officiating. There will be visitation from 2:00 p.m. until time of services on Thursday.

Preferred memorials are to the family to help defray funeral cost or to the donor's choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.