Charles “Chuck” Baber, 89, of El Dorado died Friday at the Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita. The celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow the services in Walnut Valley Memorial Park Cemetery.
Chuck was born Oct. 16, 1920 in Caldwell, Kan., the son of Ernest Horace and Sudie Victoria (Hodges) Baber. He moved to Arkansas City when he was two years old and graduated from Arkansas City High School. He also attended Butler Junior College and a number of technical schools. During WWII he served his country in the Army Aircorps in the 14th wing, 61st squadron in the bomb group and was stationed in Guam. On June 6, 1942 he was married to Marian Maurer. He came to El Dorado in 1953 and he owned and operated Baber Dental Laboratory in El Dorado.
He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church; the Elks Lodge, the V.F.W. and the American Legion. He served as Past President of the Kansas State Dental Laboratory Association. Chuck loved to fish, play his guitar and sing and was an accomplished carpenter having built both his homes in El Dorado.
Surviving family include: his wife, Marion of 67 years; one daughter, Miriam and husband John Simkins of El Dorado; a brother, Warren Baber of Tulsa, Okla.; sister, Burchie Smith of Edmond, Okla.; and two grandsons, Dylan and Dean Simkins. He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.
A memorial has been established with the First United Methodist Church. Kirby-Morris Funeral Home is assisting the family with their arrangements.
