Oma Jean “Jean” Baker, 92, of Karns City, passed away peacefully at the family home in Karns City in the company of her loving daughter and son-in-law on Sunday morning, September 18, 2022.
Jean was born in Apollo on January 4, 1930. She was the daughter of the late Luther and Blanche King Miller.
She was a 1948 graduate of Fairview Twp. Karns City High School and a longtime member of Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora.
Jean married the love of her life, Joseph Baker of Altoona in the parish house at Mater Dolorosa on September 29, 1951. Mr. Baker passed away on October 31, 1976.
Jean loved to “play in the dirt.” Gardening was her gift. She began working at the Bruin Senior Center in the mid-1980s. This was her “dream job” where she made many beloved friends and also performed as Alan Jackson in the Center's “spoof” fundraisers. This was the “best time of her life.” Jean was also a proud Steeler fan-always decked out in her Steeler's sweatshirt and socks on game day. She was very active in her grandchildren’s youth and high school events. You would see her in the stands at baseball, football, and basketball games and at go-cart races for many years. Just in March 2022, Jean traveled to South Carolina for great-grandson, Kruz’s quad race. She loved following their events.
Jean is survived by two sons, Douglas Baker and his wife, Katie, and Jeffrey Baker and his wife, Marilyn, all of Las Cruces, NM; one daughter, Pamela King, and her husband, Rodney of Karns City, with whom she made her home. Also surviving are two grandsons, Joseph Baker and his wife, Joye of Sedona, AZ, and Dustin Libecco and his wife, Karina of Rimersburg; three granddaughters, Sarah Jane Baker of Las Cruces, NM, Haley Jean Whyte and her husband, Ryan of Irvine, CA, and Alyssa Baker of Las Cruces, NM; her great-grandchildren, who were the true joys of her life, Gunner Salazar of Las Cruces, NM, Kruz Marshall Libecco, and Evie Jean Libecco, (who was born on Jean’s 89 birthday) all of Rimersburg. Jean was looking forward to the birth of another great-granddaughter in January, Harper Jean Whyte. Also, surviving are her step-grandchildren, Laura King of Coraopolis, Elizabeth King of Charlotte, NC, and Joe King of Traverse City, MI; her sisters-in-law, Sister Gracette Baker IHM, of Scranton and Joan Baker of Cresson, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jean is also survived by her “third son” and special friend of the family, Joe “Bows” Bowser of Asheboro, NC.
In addition to her parents and husband, Jean was preceded in death by her brother, Richard “Dick” Miller, and his wife, Peg.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Karns City, 128 Main St., Karns City, from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 P.M. (Noon), Wednesday, September 21, 2022, from Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, Chicora, with former pastor, Rick Thompson, officiating. The interment will be in Hemphill Cemetery, Chicora.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kessa’s Blessings, PO Box 15, Rimersburg, PA 16248, or the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Rd., Renfrew, PA 16053.
Condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com