Ilene Baker

Ilene E. Baker, 97, a resident of rural Churubusco and widow of James A. "Mike" Baker, passed away peacefully at 11:05 a. m. on Monday, October 18, 2010, at her home in Smith Township following an extended illness. Mrs. Baker was born on December 25, 1912 in Smith Township, a daughter of James W. and Ollie (Yates) McGuire. She spent her formative years in the Churubusco-area, and graduated from Churubusco High School in 1930. On July 2, 1932 she was married to James A. "Mike" Baker, and lived all of her adult life in Churubusco. She was first employed for over 20 years at Blue Bell in Columbia City,e later worked as a nurses aid at Lutheran Hospital for two years, and finally worked at Marty-J Restaurant [formerly the Ramble Inn] in Churubusco. An active member of the Churubusco United Methodist Church, she was a member of its UMW Charity and Grace Circles, and taught primary Sunday School for many years. She had done a variety of volunteer work for her church over the years, and was named its "Woman of the Year" in 1996. In addition to her family and church activities, she had been a member of the Pythian Sisters Temple and the Rebekah Lodge when these organizations were in Churubusco. Mr. Baker preceded her in death on August 9, 1983. The surviving relatives include her son William D. "Bill" Baker of Churubusco; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and 14 nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter Kay Ann Gordon on June 8, 2001; by a brother Virgil McGuire; and by four sisters Alta Hull, Gertrude Eby, Lola Mohney, and Mildred Parisot. Funeral services will be held at 10 a. m. Thursday, October 21, 2010, at the Churubusco United Methodist Church with Pastor Corinne K. Boruff, officiating. The family will receive friends at the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco on Wednesday from 2 to 8 p. m., or at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the family plot at Eel River Cemetery, south of Churubusco. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to the Churubusco United Methodist Church Soup Ministry, 750 N. Main St., Churubusco, IN 46723; or to Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice, 1315 Directors Row, #210, Fort Wayne, IN e 46808. ***************************************