John E. Baker Jr. was born January 11, 1935 to John E. and Carrie (Goeglein) Baker at home in E. St. Louis and passed away October 9, 2013 at his home. He was the eldest of three children. Both parents preceded him in death in 1991. Survived of that family unit are two brothers, Jim (Vicky) Baker of Red Bud, IL and Howard (Maureen) Baker of Cherry Hill, NJ/Sarasota, FL.
He was a past member of the Bridge and Wharf Carpenters Union of both Sidney, New South Wales and Port Fremantle, Western Australia, Pile Drivers Union Local 2119 in St. Louis, MO, Carpenters/Millwrights Union Local 169 in E. St. Louis, IL, having received his 60 year service award. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Marissa, IL. After retirement from Kerry Ingredients in 2002 he spent much of his time as a skilled woodworker / furniture maker, gardener, winemaker traveler and genealogist.
He married his childhood sweetheart Jeraldine “Jerry” Reeves on October 3, 1953 recently celebrating their 60th anniversary.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so; but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” — Psalm 1
He and Jerry began their eternal search like John Bunyon’s “Pilgrim”, trusting their Maker for direction. In 1971, they arrived at their final destination, buying a farm in Marissa, IL which was an ideal location to raise their family. They are the parents of eight children, John (Pam) Baker III of Marissa, IL, Mary (Scott) Gosnell of Kirkwood, MO, Karen (Hubie) Kruse of Smithton, IL, Karl (Nina) Baker of Hemer, Germany, Diana (Eddie) Kane of Marissa, IL, William (Sharmila) Baker of Libertyville, IL, Elizabeth (Martin) Kehoe of St. Libory, IL and Rebecca (Glenn) Pearl of St. Louis, MO. They have 22 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
“He sleeps well, gone but not forgotten
And memory shall never fade,
Loving hearts shall always linger
Where our loving father is laid.
The younger and the old,
The low and the high shall die.
All are away to their dwelling of rest.
Are hidden and lost in the depth of this grave.
We cannot always be together
Last hour must dawn and silence whisper.”
Memorials may be made to the Heartland Hospice.
Visitation: Friends may call at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in Marissa, IL on Sunday, October 13, 2013 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and at the First Baptist Church in Marissa, IL on Monday, October 14, 2013 from 9:00am to 10:00am.
Funeral: Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Marissa, IL on Monday, October 14, 2013 at 10:00am with Rev. Homer Hanshaw officiating.
Interment: Burial will be held in the Marissa Township Cemetery in Marissa, IL.
To the Baker Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy at this difficult time.
Marcia (Muehlhauser) Lantz
Posted by: Marcia ((Muehlhauser) Lantz – Alexandria, VA Oct 18, 2013
ReplyTo the Baker Family, my sincere sympathy. You are in my prayers at this difficult time.
Posted by: Amy Lee – St. Charles, MO Oct 11, 2013
ReplyWe’ve all been thinking of you here at work. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Patti Welch – Labadie, MO – Co-Worker Oct 11, 2013
ReplyMary,
Just know that I’m praying for you and your family and if there’s anything I can do please don’t hesitate to call me!
Posted by: Donna Cozart – St. Louis, MO – Co-Worker to Mary Schneidenbach Oct 11, 2013
ReplyDear Jerry and family,
John was a friend and a blessing to us and to all in the church.
Our love and prayers are with you all…wish we could be the funeral and then spend some time with you. Jim & Doris
Posted by: Jim and Doris Loewen – Mountain Home, ID – Friends Oct 11, 2013
ReplyDearest Jerry and family,
Ken and I send our deepest sympathy to all of you. We will remember
John as a fine Christian man who taught both of us so much. We always enjoyed when he substituted as our class teacher. May God be with you in the next few days and in the future. We send our love and prayers
Ken and Sherri
Posted by: Sherri and Ken Wildt – FL Oct 11, 2013
ReplyDiane and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. If you need anything just let me know.
Sara and Mike Persian
Posted by: Sara and Mike Persian – O’Fallon, IL – Friend and Coworker Oct 10, 2013
ReplyI am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.
Jada Spiewak
Posted by: Jada Spiewak – St. Louis, MO – Co-worker Oct 10, 2013
ReplyDiane and family,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your Father. I want you to know I am here for you if you need anything. Please accept my sincerest sympathy and know I will keep you close in my thoughts and prayers. Always keep his memories close to your heart and he will never be far away.
Love, Beverly
Posted by: Beverly Buckhanan – Belleville, IL – Co-Worker Oct 10, 2013
ReplyDiane and Family-
I wanted to send you my deepest sympathy and prayers on the passing of your father.
You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope that God wraps his arms around your family and you find happiness in your memories of your father.
May God bless your family.
Erin Settles, PPM
Posted by: Erin Settles – Marissa, IL – Family Friend Oct 10, 2013
ReplyThis site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Diane and Family-
I wanted to send you my deepest sympathy and prayers on the passing of your father.
You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope that God wraps his arms around your family and you find happiness in your memories of your father.
May God bless your family.
Erin Settles, PPM
Posted by: Erin Settles – Marissa, IL – Family Friend Oct 10, 2013
Diane and family,
I am so very sorry for the loss of your Father. I want you to know I am here for you if you need anything. Please accept my sincerest sympathy and know I will keep you close in my thoughts and prayers. Always keep his memories close to your heart and he will never be far away.
Love, Beverly
Posted by: Beverly Buckhanan – Belleville, IL – Co-Worker Oct 10, 2013
I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.
Jada Spiewak
Posted by: Jada Spiewak – St. Louis, MO – Co-worker Oct 10, 2013
Diane and family
I am so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. If you need anything just let me know.
Sara and Mike Persian
Posted by: Sara and Mike Persian – O’Fallon, IL – Friend and Coworker Oct 10, 2013
Dearest Jerry and family,
Ken and I send our deepest sympathy to all of you. We will remember
John as a fine Christian man who taught both of us so much. We always enjoyed when he substituted as our class teacher. May God be with you in the next few days and in the future. We send our love and prayers
Ken and Sherri
Posted by: Sherri and Ken Wildt – FL Oct 11, 2013
Dear Jerry and family,
John was a friend and a blessing to us and to all in the church.
Our love and prayers are with you all…wish we could be the funeral and then spend some time with you. Jim & Doris
Posted by: Jim and Doris Loewen – Mountain Home, ID – Friends Oct 11, 2013
Mary,
Just know that I’m praying for you and your family and if there’s anything I can do please don’t hesitate to call me!
Posted by: Donna Cozart – St. Louis, MO – Co-Worker to Mary Schneidenbach Oct 11, 2013
We’ve all been thinking of you here at work. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: Patti Welch – Labadie, MO – Co-Worker Oct 11, 2013
To the Baker Family, my sincere sympathy. You are in my prayers at this difficult time.
Posted by: Amy Lee – St. Charles, MO Oct 11, 2013
To the Baker Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. You have my deepest sympathy at this difficult time.
Marcia (Muehlhauser) Lantz
Posted by: Marcia ((Muehlhauser) Lantz – Alexandria, VA Oct 18, 2013