Keith Francis Baker, 87, of Craigsville died Wednesday, December 29, 2010, in Lewis-Gale Hospital-Alleghany at Low Moor.

Mr. Baker was born May 9, 1923, in Mason City, Iowa, a son of the late Francis J. and Lena Violet Ortmann Baker.

He was a veteran of World War II with the United States Marine Corps, serving with the 11th Defense Battalion in the Pacific Theater. He was a member of the American Legion

. He was employed with the Lehigh-Portland Cement Company as Maintenance Supervisor at their Fordwick Plant in Craigsville and retired from their plant in Metaline Falls, Washington, after 44 years with the company.

He was a charter member of the Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department and was a longtime member of the Craigsville Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife. Jane R. Baker in November of 2009; and also a sister, Shirley Bashaw.

Surviving are two daughters, Beverly Thompson of Craigsville and Betsy Arritt and her husband, David, of Covington; eight grandchildren, Barry Fridley and Melinda Nichols of Hot Springs, David Arritt, Jr. and his wife, Tammy, Mark Fridley and his wife, Lori, Wesley Arritt and his wife, Mandy, and Jonathan Arritt and his wife, Mandy, all of Covington, Beth Arritt of Springfield, Beth Wood of Fishersville and Eric Thompson and his wife, Crystal, of Craigsville; 17 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive their friends Sunday afternoon from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m. at Arritt Funeral Home. His body will then be taken to the Craigsville Presbyterian Church where the family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The funeral service will be held Monday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in the Craigsville Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Olivia K. Haney officiating. Interment will be made in the Craigsville Community Cemetery with military rites conducted by the United States Marines.

Active pallbearers will be Barry Fridley, David Arritt, Jr., Mark Fridley, Wesley Arritt, Jonathan Arritt, Eric Thompson, Jacob Wood and Joshua Wood.

The family suggests that donations in Mr. Baker's name be made to the Craigsville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 37, Craigsville, VA 24430 or to the Memorial Fund at Craigsville Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 178, Craigsville, VA 24430.

The Arritt Funeral Home, Covington, Va. is handling the arrangements.