Norma ‘Jean’ Baker, 93, Manhattan
Norma “Jean” Baker (nee Hidlebaugh), age 93, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Monday, August 21.
Norma is survived by her children, Kenneth (Robin) Baker, James (Mary) Baker III, Nancy (John) Long and Karen Baker; her grandchildren; Amy (Aaron) Mashburn, Benjamin (Katie) Baker, Sarah Hooper, Gina (Rob) Miller, Lisa (David) Kochanowicz, David Baker, Ashley (Mia) Harrier, Kara Ridner, Rebecca Harvell, Dan (Katie) Long, Kristin (Jason) Barnett; great grandchildren; Madelyn, Victoria, Joshua, Noah, Ada, Elijah, Zoe, Oliver, Killian, Rune, Azalea, Jade, Nolan, Hannah, Haley, Brooklyn, Johnny, Mykinley, Bradie and Madison; special friend Deanna Wollek; numerous nieces and nephews; her faithful canine companions, “Jay” and “Coco,” and her singing canary, “Sunny.”
Norma was preceded in death by her parents,Sylvester and Zelma Hidlebaugh, her husband, James H. Baker (2012), daughter Debra Harrier, grandson Joshua Baker, siblings Virgil Hidlebaugh, Reba Bennett, Treva Friddle and Marcella Nicholson.
Norma Jean was born in Metcalf, IL, and she was a Wilmington High School graduate. Jean and James married on August 20, 1950. Norma went on to become a L.P.N. through the Joliet Township Nurses Training program, and worked for Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet and the Bensenville Nursing Home in Peotone.
Norma was a lifetime member of Faith Connection of Wilton Center (formerly known as Wilton Center Federated Church) in Wilton Center, where she held several offices. Norma was also a member of the Will County Farm Bureau, where she served as the Illinois State Representative for the state women’s committee several years.
Norma also served as an election judge in her precinct for many years. She had a large social circle, as she was a part of the Mr. & Mrs. Euchre Club and Manhattan Alley Cats Bowling League. She also enjoyed crocheting, traveling, gardening and collecting recipes to name a few.
A fond family memory was the many family fishing trips to Minnesota and in her later years, with her husband and her daughter Karen. Jean also truly embraced the farmer’s wife role, always having meals prepared or bringing food out to the fields. A dessert was always ready at the end of a long day.
Norma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, and she will be dearly missed. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Karen for the years of love, support and caregiving she has shown mom.
Funeral services for Norma were held on Monday, August 28, at Faith Connection of Wilton Center (WCFC), with Pastor Zach Dyrda officiating. Interment was held at Wilton Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Manhattan Fire Department, P.O. Box 65, Manhattan, IL 60442, or to Faith Connection of Wilton Center, 14101 West Joliet Road, Manhattan, IL 60442.
Arrangements were entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forysthegouldfh.com.