Lyle Baker

Lyle “Lud” Gerald Baker, age 91, of Wyoming, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2020. Lyle was born on April 12, 1929, in Elbridge, MI. At 17 years old, he met and then married the love of his life, Norma Lou Velte. They raised their four children, Linda, Jake, Rene, and Brian in their home in Wyoming, MI.  A devoted husband, Lud stuck to his vows "in sickness and in health," caring for Norma for several years while she was ill. They enjoyed 71 wonderful years of marriage until her death in 2019. A rustic cowboy in his youth, Lud was an avid Rodeo competitor, where he rode bucking broncos and was part of a competitive team, roping steer with his brother Jack, who passed months earlier this year. Lud supported his family as a long haul driver for Holland Motor Express, where he worked for 41 years. A very strong supporter of the Teamsters Union Local 406, he served as the Vice President of the Union for years near the end of his trucking career. He retired from Holland Motor Express at 63 years old. For fun, Lud loved motorcycles, and Harley Davidson was his ride of choice. Lud and Norma were lifetime active members of the Para-dice Motorcycle Club in Grand Rapids, MI. Most importantly, Lud was a devout Catholic and actively volunteered and served his church and ensured his beloved family grew up in the Catholic faith. He is survived by his only remaining sibling, Carol Smith, and all of his children and their spouses: Linda and Tom Delaney, Jake and Pam Baker, Rene and Cis Baker, and Brian and Myrna Baker. He is also survived by a long list of grandchildren: Lisa Esbaugh, Amy Galvan, Jason Baker, Damon Baker, Kristina Perry, and Zachary Baker, as well as great grandchildren and a community of other family members and friends whom he touched with his generosity, warmth, and fun-loving nature. In lieu of a funeral service a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to be announced in late Spring of 2021.