Richard Dale Baber, 95, Peru, Indiana, passed away at 2:32 a.m. on Sunday, April 2, 2017, at Blair Ridge Health Campus, Peru, Indiana.

Born June 15, 1921, in Rochester, Indiana, he was the first child of Roscoe C. and Golda F. Heckathorn Baber.  He was married to Deloris Irene Morrison in 1946, and she preceded him in death in 1950.  He was then married in 1953 to Mary LaVerne Conner of Mexico, Indiana.

After graduating from Rochester High School in 1937, he went on to study accounting at Fort Wayne International Business College.  After completing his studies, he worked in a bank at Leiters Ford, Indiana.  He joined the United States Navy in 1942 and departed service in 1946 as a Chief Petty Officer.  Post World War II, he served in various positions before accepting a job with the United States Postal Service.  Among those were working at Marathon Oil, Findlay, Ohio; REMC, Rochester; managing the Macy Elevator; serving as Assistant Treasurer for Miami County; and a sales representative for the Moorman Feed Company.  In 1986, he retired as Postmaster at Grissom Air Force Base.

Richard was an active member of the New Life United Methodist Church, Mexico, Indiana, where he had served on the Board of Trustees, and was a member of the United Methodist Men.  He also served as a mission’s volunteer on short term mission trips to New Mexico and Puerto Rico.  He was a member of the Indiana Freemasons, Masonic Lodge No. 347, Mexico, Indiana; Mexico Lions Club; Miami County Historical Society; and Miami County Farm Bureau.  In addition to family and friends, his greatest joy came from using his John Deere Gator and lawnmower to maintain the twelve acres surrounding his home.

Survivors include his wife, Mary LaVerne Conner Baber, Peru; son, Dennis (Olivia) Baber, Panama City, Florida; daughter, Linda (Tim) Foland, Lafayette; two sisters, Imogene Wilson, Rochester; and Betty Jo Benedict, Kokomo; six grandchildren, Aileen Everett, Jeremy (Allison) Baber, Brenda Baber, Wesley (Monica) Baber, Bethany (William) Gee, Michael (Yi) Foland; ten great-grandchildren, Joshua Orton; Jacob, Samuel, Ansley, and Lukas Baber; Emma Claire, Grayson and Griffin Gee; and Terence and Julian Foland; and one great-great granddaughter, Alice Orton.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017, at New Life United Methodist Church, Mexico, with Pastor John Meunier officiating.  Burial with military rites will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Mexico.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at the church.

The family requests that memorial contributions may be made to New Life United Methodist Church or the Greater Lafayette Honor Flight.

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