Wendell Lawrence Baker, age 93, of Clinton, MO, passed away Monday, May 8, 2017 at Truman Lake Manor, Lowry City, MO. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 pm, Saturday, May 20 at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton. Graveside & Military services will be 2:00 pm, Sunday, May 21 at Vansant Road Cemetery (formerly Memory Gardens), Clinton, with a Memorial Service following at 3:00 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, East Hwy. 7, Clinton. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Hospice Compassus, Osceola, MO, and may be left in care of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton. Condolences and fond memories may be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

Wendell was born in 1923 to Paul and Mary (Padley) Baker in Butler, Mo. He graduated from Butler High School in 1941. He was a MKT (Katy) Railroad Station Agent for 11 years until 1960. He then worked in Facilities Maintenance for the U.S. Postal Service for 20 years. He was married to Betty Williamson who preceded him in death in 1966. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp during WWII.

Wendell loved gardening and maintained many gardens in the area with his tractors. He had many hobbies, one of which was flying the Stearman PT-19 when he was younger. He had a private pilot license at the time. One of his longer projects was supervising the construction of his home. He also built his barn/storage buildings and restored his three antique tractors and built a fishing boat. He enjoyed working on projects with his brother Paul. He also loved to dance and travel with his beloved companion, Nancy Richeson. The care and devotion provided by Nancy was greatly appreciated by his family. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton.

Wendell was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Betty; brother, Paul Baker; and sister, Francile Cummings.

Wendell is survived by his family as follows: sons, Wayman (Janette) Baker of Stuarts Draft, VA, Wesley (Judy) Baker of Tonganoxie, KS, Gary Baker of Centennial, CO and Larry Baker of San Diego, CA; grandchildren, Adam Baker, Andrew Baker, Christopher (Ashley) Baker and Ryan Baker; great grandchild, Corbin Baker; nephew, Everett Cummings; and niece, Eileen (Gary) Staples.

Wendell is also survived by his beloved companion, Nancy Richeson and her family as follows: son Steven (Kim) Richeson of Deepwater, MO; daughters, Teresa (Dan) Clarizio of Topeka, KS and Renee (Dan) Reilly of Columbia, MO; grandchildren Michael Clarizio, Olivia Reilly, Madeline Reilly, Clinton (Destiny) Richeson, Aaron Richeson and Marcella Clason; great grandchildren Ember Waggoner, Journey Richeson and River Richeson.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton.