BAKER, James R. "Jim" Sr., 68, of O.K. Road, Belmont, Ohio, died Wednesday, March 28, 2012 in Wheeling Hospital.

He was born June 27, 1943 in Jacobsburg, Ohio, son of the late Clarence Guy Baker Sr. and Freedithe Palmer Baker.

Jim was a lifelong farmer, a construction worker from Laborers Local 1149, a former coal miner from North American Coal Co. Powhatan # 3 mine. He was a Christian by faith. Jim also had a passion for cutting trees and helping his son with his logging business.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Clarence Guy "Bud" Baker Jr. and Larry Baker; 4 sisters, Carrell Shields, Annie Cimbanin, Betty Murphy and Essie Lawrence.

Surviving are his loving wife of 47 years, Sharon Mruzek Baker; three children, James R. (Beatrice) Baker Jr. of Belmont, Melissa (Jay) Simeral of Adena and Stephen (Michelle) Baker of Belmont; 8 grandchildren, Justin LeMasters, James Baker III, Dominic, Devin and Donovan Simeral, Hannah, Shalynn and Jesse James Baker; 2 great grandchildren; a brother, Caleb Baker of Jacobsburg; 4 sisters, Hilda Brandon of Jacobsburg, Ruth Jeffers Borovich, Mildred Sliwinski and Louise Lochary; many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received at Toothman Funeral Home in Jacobsburg, Ohio on Saturday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., where services will be held on Monday at 1 p.m., with Rev. Wilford Simeral officiating. Burial will follow in the Baker Family Cemetery.