Margaret Ann Baker

Baker, Margaret Ann, 88, a resident of St. Leonard Center in Centerville, died September 10, 2007. She was born to Arthur G. and Margaret M. (Schauer) Mess in Fort Wayne, Indiana, June 22, 1919. She graduated from Oakwood (Ohio) High School, attended the University of Dayton, and graduated from the University of Akron. She also took classes at the Traphagen School of Fashion in New York City, the Dayton Art Institute, and the Fontainebleu School (France). Margaret married Jacob C. Baker (1917-1965) on May 17, 1941 and they settled in northeastern Ohio (Barberton then later Cuyahoga Falls), raising ten children there. In Cuyahoga Falls, she was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and served as a board member for the St. Joseph Catholic Credit Union. She was a leader in Catholic study groups and in the parish Altar and Rosary Society. In the mid-1970s she was the President of the North Summit Deanery of the National Council of Catholic Women. She was also employed by Falls Savings (Cuyahoga Falls). In 1978 Margaret moved to Centerville to be closer to her mother and several other family members who lived in the Dayton area. She was an active member of Incarnation Catholic Church and St. Leonard Center, serving as a Stephen Minister and singing in the choir. She was also employed by National City Bank and H&R Block. She lived at St. Leonard Center from 1995 until her death. Margaret was preceded in death by her husband Jacob, her parents, her father-in-law George Albert Baker, her mother-in-law Mary C. Baker, and her brothers Arthur G. Mess, Jr., and Richard C. Mess. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Richard A. Baker (Marilyn) of Cambridge, Ohio; Margaret M. Ziehler (Anthony) of Uniontown, Ohio; Daniel G. Baker (Constance) of Liberty Township, Ohio; Susan Baker Poling (William) of Silver Spring, Maryland; Mary Lou Baker Jones (Merrel) of Kettering, Ohio; Patricia E. Baker (William Appelbaum) of Timonium, Maryland; Jeanette M. Mellion (Nicholas) of Clinton, Ohio; Theresa A. Baker of Kettering, Ohio; Elizabeth A. Tucker (Craig) of Yucca Valley, California; and Paul J. Baker (Tanya) of Dublin, Ohio. She is also survived by her 24 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and her sisters-in-law Sue Mess of Centerville and Andrene J. Mess of Henderson, NV. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, September 17, 2007 at St. Leonard Main Chapel (8100 Clyo Rd., Centerville) at 11 am. Family will receive visitors in the Chapel at 10 am and invite them to a lunch reception in Pott Hall after the Mass. Friends may also call at Routsong Funeral Home, 81 North Main Street, Centerville, on Sunday, September 16 from 5 to 7 pm. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Friends may call at McGowan Reid & Santos Funeral Home, 247 Stow Ave. Cuyahoga Falls on Tuesday, September 18 from 10-11 am prior to the graveside service. Friends are also invited to a reception at the Natatorium. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be made to Hospice of Dayton (324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton OH 45420) or to St. Leonard Chapel Fund (8100 Clyo Rd., Centerville Oh 45458). Condolences and remembrances may be submitted to the family at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Centerville Routsong Funeral Home
81 N. Main St.
Centerville, OH
US 45459