Harold 'Hal' Baker, 74, Woodstock

Harold “Hal” Baker, 74, Woodstock, died Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born Oct. 2, 1941, to George and Alice Baker in Woodstock. 

On Feb. 23, 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Crystal Scott.

He went to school in Woodstock and continued his education at Trinidad College in Colorado and at Northern Illinois University. After four years serving in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to Woodstock and worked in sales, eventually opening Sound Advice and later America’s Best Audio-Video. He also served as assessor for Dorr Township.

He had a lifelong interest in hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Woodstock Jaycees and coached it’s award-winning shooting team. He volunteered as a Little League coach, a hunter safety instructor and an information officer with  McHenry County Civil Defense. He belonged to the Woodstock Moose, the American Legion, the Harvard Sportsmen’s Club and was a life member of the National Riffle Assoc.

Survivors include his wife; three children, James, Woodstock, Scott, Texas, and Melinda (Mark) McDonough, McHenry; five grandchildren Jessica Baker, Shaun (Brigitte) Baker, Samantha Baker and Renee and Ross Adams.

A memorial gathering will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Community Room of the Dorr Township offices,1039 Lake Ave.,Woodstock. Services will be private. 

Memorials can be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.