Audrey Robert Baker, 97 a life-long resident of Louisiana passed away at 1:20 a.m. on Monday, March 12, 2007 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. He came to Illinois a year ago to enter the Champaign County Nursing Home and to be near his family.

Mr. Baker was born on August 22, 1909 in Kinder, Louisiana, the son of Barney J. and Pauline Jordan Baker, who were early settlers of Kinder. He married Mamie Jeansonne on February 2, 1936 in Eunice, LA. She passed away in 1981.

Survivors include two daughters: Rita (Landrum) Young and Marilyn Baker both of Savoy, and three grandchildren: Paul Young of Urbana, Laura (Kevin) Bowman of California and Keith (Kimberly) Young of Champaign and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by four brothers and five sisters.

Mr. Baker retired from Exxon after 43 years of service. He was a member of the initial team that operated the first catalytic cracking unit, PCLA #1, at the Exxon refinery in Baton Rouge, LA. He was a member of the "e Federal" Credit Union and the "Piney Woods" Exxon Retirees Club. He enjoyed fishing in Nachitoches, LA, loved gardening and was an LSU Tigers fan.

Memorial services will be held at a later date at the Green Oaks Funeral Home in Baton Rouge, LA. Burial will be in the Green Oaks Cemetery. Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an organization of the donor's choice.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.