Ruby Christine "Chris" Baker

DECATUR - Ruby Christine "Chris" Baker, 82, of Decatur, passed away at 11:05 AM Monday, April 17, 2006 at Fair Havens Christian Home. Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 21, 2006 at Dawson & Wikoff Colonial Chapel North with Pastor Robert L. Bruer officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM, Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Fair Havens Christian Home or Concordia Lutheran Church. Messages of condolence may be directed to the family via email at www.dawson-wikoff.com. Ruby was born on February 12, 1924 in Tracy, Kentucky, the youngest of eight children. Her parents were Lewis and Matilda Bewley. She married Harold Baker on December 24, 1942 in Taylor Ridge, Illinois. He passed away in 1996. As a young woman, Ruby performed singing duets at social events and was a talented softball player. While raising her children, she worked part-time as a waitress. Ruby earned her real estate license in the early 70's and sold real estate for Wayne Mercer and Fred Birch Realty. An avid antique collector, Ruby became an antique dealer in the 80's. Ruby was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church. She was a loving and devoted mother. Ruby enjoyed working in her yard, raising a garden and growing many varieties of plants, flowers, and blooming trees. She had a passion for antiques and especially loved beautiful hand-painted rose dishes, quilts, linens, and primitives. Ruby was always young at heart, loved to sing and dance, had a wonderful sense of humor, and told captivating stories. She had fond memories of growing up in Kentucky. Ruby is survived by her sons, David Baker and wife Becky (Decatur), Kenny Baker and wife Vicky (Decatur), and her daughters, Patti Fehrenbacher and husband, Rich (Elwin), and Pennie Matticks and fiancé Paul (Columbia, MO), nine grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Bessie Lee Duncan of Milan, Illinois, her brothers Leo Bewley of Indianapolis, Indiana and James Bewley of Bardstown, Kentucky and many nieces and nephews. Her parents and four brothers, Eugene (her twin), Pete, Oss, and Jessie also preceded her in death. Her family would like to thank everyone at Fair Havens Christian Home, especially their "second family" on Station 4 for the love and devotion they gave Ruby during the last 4 1/2 years. Obituary written by family members. Online guest book at www.legacy.com/herald-review/Obituaries.asp