Mary E. Baker

Mary Elizabeth (DeForest) Baker, age 76, of Convis Township, died on Saturday evening, September 16, 2006 at her home in the loving care of her family. Mary was born on July 8, 1930 in Battle Creek at the old Nichols Hospital to Arthur B. C. and Alta J. (Albrecht) DeForest. She returned to the family farm in Convis Township with her parents. Mary graduated from Marshall High School in 1948. On July 1, 1949, she was married to Donald Archie Baker at Lake James, Indiana. The couple settled in Battle Creek, then returned to live at the family farm in 1950 to help care for Mary''s mother who was very ill. After her death, her father asked the couple to make their home there to help with the farm, which they did. Mary has run the farm the majority of her life since then. Don preceded her in death on April 21, 1996. Mary worked at Cornwell''s Turkeyville Restaurant part and full time for many years. She initially helped with the fall turkey processing work, and also in the small kitchen of the fledgling restaurant. She was lovingly referred to as "Aunt Mary" by the Turkeyville staff and Cornwell family. For many years, she was responsible for baking the wonderful pies that were served. She retired in the mid-1990''s, and still helped out occasionally after that. Mary was a devoted 4-H mother, and served as a leader for 5 years. She always participated in her children''s projects, and would stay at the Calhoun County Fair with them during fair week. She was a member and past president of the Mother''s Club. As part of her volunteer work with the Mother''s Club, she and friend Sophie Harris prepared many meals for a number of groups at the Community Building. She enjoyed reading, especially Gene Stratton-Porter books. Traveling with her husband Don in their motor home was a favorite memory for her. They visited 34 states, and the majority of the Canadian provinces that bordered the U.S. . Mary had a lifelong love of horses. She and her husband Don were members of the Battle Creek Pony Club, and had enjoyed traveling with their activities also. Mary was an active volunteer with Marshall Area Community Services for many years. Mary is survived by her 2 daughters, Donna M.(James A.) Jeffery of Quincy and Anne M. Baker of Marshall; her 2 sons, Larry A. Baker and John D. Baker both of Marshall; 7 grandchildren, Nichole L. Baker, Richard A. Baker, Courtney E. Hounshell, Ashley L. Jeffery, Corey J. Jeffery, Aaron P. Jeffery, and Samantha Jo Jeffery; her sister, Lila Boucher of Richland; and nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by 3 brothers, Fred, Floyd "Bud" and Wesley DeForest. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Wednesday from 9AM to 9PM, where the family will be present to greet friends and share memories from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM. Funeral services celebrating her life will be held on Thursday at 11AM at Kempf Funeral Home with Rev. David Boedecker of Christ Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will follow in Austin Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to American Cancer Society or Marshall Relay For Life. Assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Funeral Home.