LLOYD ALLEN "JAKE" BAKER died July 15, 2016, at his residence in Charleston.

Born Jan. 10, 1927, in Mississippi County, son of the late Silas and Nellie Gregory Baker, he worked as a mechanic prior to his enlistment in the U.S. Air Force. A veteran of World War II, he was discharged in May 1947. He returned to Mississippi County to resume his job as a mechanic until he began working with his future wife's sister and brother-in-law, John and Minnie Warren at Johnnie's Drive In in Charleston. In the early 1950s, he and his brother, Vernon Baker, purchased the popular food establishment and became co-owners of Johnnie's Drive In, an iconic legend famous for their hamburgers and pit barbecue. Lloyd and his wife, Martha Jane, assumed ownership of Johnnie's after Vernon's death and continued cooking their iconic menu until they retired in April 1994. A landowner in Kentucky, he spent some time farming, but the majority of his time was spent behind the grill at Johnnie's. For many years, Lloyd manned the grill at the annual Girl Scouts Hamburger Day held at the Charleston Armory. If any Girl Scout wondered why Hamburger Day was always on Wednesday, it's because Johnnie's was only closed one day a week - Wednesday. Shortly after retirement, Lloyd and Martha Jane opened the doors once more for a Johnnie's Day to benefit a youth mission trip for their church, Charleston First Baptist. The day proved to be an overwhelming success.

On March 11, 1951, he married Martha Jane Slaten who survives of the home.

Also surviving are three children, Nancy Ponder (Butch Matis) of Boutte, La.; Kathy (Mike) Garrard of Charleston, and Allen (Kathy) Baker of St. Ann, Ill.; one brother, Leon (Margaret) Baker of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Leia (Ben) Milster of Luling, La., Gina (William) Taylor of Destrehan, La.; Jake (Margie) Garrard of Cape Girardeau, and P.J. (Heather) Ponder of Opelousas La.; also six great-grandchildren, Ellie and Levi Milster, Aleyna and Isaiah Taylor, Mackenzie and Madison Ponder, and two more expected October and December.

He was preceded in death by one grandson, Benjamin Ponder, one great granddaughter, Akyria Taylor, two brothers, Dr. Bernard Baker and Vernon Baker; and one sister, Alma Frances Baker.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 6:00 pm at the McMikle Funeral Home on Sunday, July 17, 2016 where Funeral Services will be conducted at 10:00 am on Monday, July 18, 2016. Kerry Stokes, pastor of First Baptist Church in Parma, will officiate.

Missouri Military Honor Guard will conduct Graveside rites at the IOOF Cemetery followed by interment under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be his nephews: Gordon Slaten, Steve Slaten, Richard Slaten, Lee Baker, Lin Baker, and Bill Curtis.

Memorial Contributions may be given to First Baptist Church, PO Box 442, Charleston, MO 63834.