Dillard B. Baker III

November 3, 1947 – August 26, 2024

Dillard "Dill" passed away peacefully at the age of 76, August 26, 2024 while at home under Hospice care with his wife and daughter by his side. He battled cancer and COPD for many years. He grew up in Des Plaines, IL and was an only child. He resided in Lake Zurich, IL most of his life.

He graduated from Main West High School in 1965 and attended Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University and William Rainey Harper college. He served in the United States Navy at the Glenview Naval Air Station working on airplanes and worked for the USPS in Glenview for 30 years as a mail carrier.

Dillard was known for his love of art, specifically drawing and painting. Surrealism was his favorite art style and he was a Salvador Dali admirer. He painted his own surrealist oil paintings that still hang on the walls of his home today. He shared his artistic talent with his children and grandchildren.

Dillard loved college sports, especially basketball (March Madness) and football. He was a Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. Some of his favorite music artists were Jethro Tull, Talking Heads and Oingo Boingo. He liked The Far Side comics and his favorite meal was a homemade shepherd's pie. He enjoyed watching Svengoolie, Mystery Science Theater 3000, WGN and old shows on MeTV.

He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. He is preceded in death by his parents Gladys (Hepler) Baker and Dillard B. Baker Jr., and his dog, Ernie.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Denise (Giesel) Baker, two children, Kyle Baker (Melissa), Emily Baker (Tony Greinke) and three grandchildren, Anthony Greinke, Espin Jurgensen and Henrik Jurgensen, as well as many cousins.

As a long time cancer warrior, the family requests donations to be made in Dillard's name to the Purple Plunge - a local non-profit charity in Lake Zurich that assists individuals and their families on their cancer journey.

Website: www.purpleplunge.org

Arrangements for a Celebration of Life are pending and will be announced at a later date. Please share a favorite memory in the guestbook.