Matthew R. “Matt” Baker, 42, of Milan, Illinois, and formerly of Maquoketa, Iowa, died on Saturday morning, July 1, 2023, in Milan, Illinois from injuries received in an automobile accident.

Matthew Ray Baker was born on May 24, 1981 in Iowa City, Iowa, to Ronald Ray and Patricia Ann (Grunder) Baker.  He was a 2000 graduate of Maquoketa Community High School and then entered the military serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from March of 2002 until receiving an honorable discharge in 2006.  His service was a testament to his courage and selflessness. During his active military career, he served in Afghanistan, Fallujah, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Somalia, and lastly Baghdad, Iraq.   He assisted in operations with the cleanup of a Tsunami, the Battle of Fallujah, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Sweeney, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Unified Assurance Indonesia.  He was awarded numerous medals.

Upon returning home from his active-duty service, he worked at John Deere for several years. He attended Midwest Technical Institute in the Quad Cities where he received training in heating, cooling, and welding. Matt became a Welder Instructor at MTI. He then became self-employed working on dirt bikes, motorcycles, and side-by-sides.

Matt had a daughter, Kahlan Ray Baker with Erin Stephany.  Matt and Erin never married but always remained friends.

Matt enjoyed dirt biking, side-by-side riding, especially going with friends to Colorado and Michigan. He enjoyed flying remote control airplanes and watching action movies.

Those left to honor his memory include his daughter, Kahlan Ray Baker of Maquoketa, IA; his mother and father, Pat and Tony Todorich of Maquoketa, IA; his father, Ron Baker; sister, Cassie Baker of Bettendorf, IA; special friend, Sandy Thomson; and his loyal dog Castle.

A gathering of family and friends celebrating Matt’s life will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the Timber Center in Maquoketa.  A prayer service with military rites will be held at 5:30 P.M.  Cremation rites have been accorded.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project to support PTSD.

The Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa is caring for the family.  Online condolences and notes of support may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.