Jean (Waitkunas) Baker

Etta Jean Baker, 84, of Wooster, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2022 at Westview Healthy Living in Wooster after a period of declining health.

Jean was born on July 1, 1938 in Shadyside, OH to the late Alexander and Jennie (First) Waitkunas and later moved to Fredericksburg where the family lived.  She met her soon to be husband, Dean Baker, who was her high school sweet heart, and they were married on Oct. 17, 1953.  They were blessed with two sons, James Dean and Jeffrey Lee.  Jean worked for the Freedlander Co. and later became a buyer for them.   Jean and Dean loved to travel and did so for many years.  They loved living in Arizona for 20 years and are members of First Church of God in Wooster.

Surviving is her husband of 69 years, Dean; son, Jim and his wife Cyndi Baker of Wooster and Jim’s children, Shawn (Misty) Baker, Ashley (Kevin) Kindy and Jeremy Baker.  Sadly, Jeff preceded Jean in death and he was blessed with a lovely wife, Debbie and they had three children, Zachary (Nicole) Baker, Alex (Justine) Baker and Seth Baker who preceded her in death.  Also surviving are 5 great-grandchildren and her brothers, Robert Waitkunas of Big Prairie and Joe (Kim) Waitkunas of Wooster.

Jean was preceded in death by her son, Jeff Baker, grandson, Seth Baker, her parents and a brother Ronald Waitkunas.

At Jean’s request, private family services will be held at Murray Funeral Home in Creston with burial at Sherwood Memorial Gardens.  There will be a Celebration of Life for Jean held in the Summer.