Richard E. Baber

BABER, Richard E.
of Portage Richard Eugene Baber was born January 2, 1930, in Kalamazoo, the son of Freemond and Gertrude Clugston Baber and went home to be with his Lord on January 10, 2012, at Bronson Hospital. He was a lifelong Kalamazoo area resident and graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School. He served from 1948-52 during the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force. Throughout the years he was employed with Eckrich Co., Sutherland Paper Co., Borden Chemical Co. and Abode Building Supply. Richard was a longtime active member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church; a member of the Masonic Fidelity Lodge #513 F & AM, where he was Past Master and was also a Scottish Rite. In the past several years he greatly enjoyed spending time at Physical Therapy One; but the most important part of his life was spending time with his family. On August 1, 1953, he was united in marriage to the former Margaret Knarian, who survives. Also surviving are their children, Carolyn Jim Everts of Portage and Ronald Vivian Baber of Kalamazoo; grandchildren, Emily Everts, Peter Everts, Ronda Baber, Roxanne Baber and Brandon Baber; sisters, Gwen Larry Walker, Marilyn John Calhoun and Susie Tom Johnson and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8pm today Thursday, January 12th at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave, where a Masonic Rite will be held at 8:00pm Thursday evening. A funeral service to celebrate Richard's life will be held 11:00am Friday at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church 929 E. Centre Ave. with The Rev. Dennis Remenschneider officiating. A private interment will be held in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South. Memorials in Richard's memory may be directed to St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.