The News-Gazette, Champaign, IL; 9/18/03
Michael Laker
HOOPESTON -- Funeral services for Michael A. Laker, 46, of Hoopeston
will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Chestnut Street Church of Christ, 709
E. Chestnut St., Hoopeston.  Bud McMasters and Jim Norman will officiate.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Wolfe Funeral Home, 907 W.
Main St., Hoopeston.

Mr. Laker died at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 16, 2003) at Provena United
Samaritans Medical Center, Logan Campus, Danville.

He was born April 7, 1957, in Danville, a son of Larry Laker Sr. and
Judith Bonebrake Laker.  He married Jo Milner on March 10, 2000, in
Nashville, Tenn.  She survives.

Also surviving are his father, Larry Laker Sr. of Danville; his mother,
Judith Peplow of Danville; two stepsons, Kevin Perkins of Danville
and Steve Hughes of Catlin; four brothers, Steve Laker of Hanover
Park, Larry Laker Jr. of Florence, S.C., Jim Peplow of Danville and
Bob Peplow of Stewart, Fla.; two sisters, Dawn Keathley of Hobe Sound,
Fla., and Deann Peplow of Danville; two step-brothers, Jack Peplow Jr. of
Danville and John Peplow of Rolling Meadows; his grandparents, Paul and
Betty Laker of New Port Richey, Fla.; and Betty Macklin of Georgetown;
and three stepgrandchildren.

Mr. Laker was a woodworking tradesman and built custom boats.

He was a member of Chestnut Street Church of Christ in Hoopeston and
Conservation Club.  He enjoyed camping, woodworking, playing his guitar
and singing in the Cowboy Church Band.

Memorials may be made to Chestnut Street Cowboy Church.