Charles "Chuck" Edward Baker

Charles (Chuck) E. Baker passed away December 11, 2016 at the age of 91 years in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Charles was born 12 June 1925 to Charles L. and Clara (Matter) Baker at Chinook, Montana.

He entered the Navy during Feb. of 1943 and served as an aircraft mechanic on a "Jeep" carrier in the South Pacific.  His ship participated in the Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Pelilue, and Philippines Liberation campaigns.  During Leyte Gulf, the largest naval sea battle in history, he sustained injuries from the blast of a Japanese Cruiser shell that entitled him to the Purple Heart.  He returned to civilian life following WWII for a three and a half year period at which time he returned to the military life.  Upon completing Navy Flight Training, he was commissioned into the Marine Corps and served as a fighter/bomber pilot until his retirement in 1967.  He served in Korea during the Conflict flying 99 jet missions for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 9 Air Medals.  During September of 1958 his Squadron of 24 FJ4B fighter/bomber aircraft were the first Naval single engine aircraft to fly trans Pacific from Hawaii to Japan utilizing air-to-air refueling.

Chuck (Charlie) married Mildred Hughes Nicely in August of 1954.  She had two children by a previous marriage.  Chuck and Mildred were blessed with three girls during their marriage.  Mildred preceded him in death.  He later married Eva Egbert Ward, his high school sweetheart, from Montana.

He enjoyed many different types of hobbies, remodeling old homes, building homes, making furniture of all types (for the kids), stained glass projects, and last but not least, traveling with the camper.

He is survived by his three daughters, Rebecca (Michael) Jaschek, Deborah Weickert, Judith (Sean) McKeon, one son James (Barbara) Nicely and by three grandsons; Erich and Ian Jaschek and Matthew McKeon, and by Eva's children, Andie Stewart, Jolynn (Norman) Hollingsworth, Bryce Ward, Robert (Gina) Ward, Christie Ward and his sister, Lois Goodheart.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred and wife Eva, and two younger brothers, Warren and Fredric, and daughter Linda (Nicely) Williams.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday December 13, 2016 at the Olympus Third Ward, 4100 South Camille Street, where friends may visit with the family from 9:30am to 10:30am prior to the services at the church. Interment with Dedication service and Military Honors will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday December 14, 2016 at the Pineview Cemetery in Ashton, Idaho. On line memories and tributes can be posted to the family at www.holbrookmortuary.com