Josephine Baker

JOSEPHINE E. BAKER, 92 Beloved Mom, Grandma and Great-grandma ROCKFORD -Josephine E. "Jo" Baker, 92, of Rockford died Sunday morning, Oct. 3, 2010, in Provena Cor Mariae Center. Born April 8, 1918, in Rockford, daughter of Homer and Edith (Johnson) Smith. Graduated from Winnebago High School in 1936 and attended Illinois Wesleyan College, Bloomington. Josephine married Robert B. Baker on Dec. 29, 1945, in Middle Creek Presbyterian Church. Jo was a secretary at AAA office, then at Singer Zone Center. She was an active member of Middle Creek Presbyterian Church for 75 years, the Westfield Community Center and the Winnebago County Farm Bureau. Jo enjoyed quilting, crocheting and reading. Josephine is lovingly survived by daughters, Joan (Frank) Jones of Byron, Nancy (Mike) Light of Lacoma, Mo., and Susan (Bill) Butterworth of Rockton; grandsons, Charles (Stacey) Jones of Byron, Scott (Jessica) Jones of Rockford, Robert (Heather) Light of Rolla, Mo., Brian (Karen) Light of Seymour, Mo., and Mark Butterworth of Rockton; great-grandchildren, Victor and Elizabeth Light, Autumn, Ashley and Zoe Light, and Olivia and Ethan Jones; sister-in-law, Jean Meissen of Winnebago; many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents; husband on Nov. 20, 2001; and brother, Harold Smith. Service at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 6, in Middle Creek Presbyterian Church, 12473 Montague Road, Winnebago, with the Rev. Anita Stuart-Steva officiating. Burial in Middle Creek Cemetery, Winnebago. Visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, in Genandt Funeral Home, 602 N. Elida St., Winnebago. Memorials to Middle Creek Presbyterian Church and OSF Hospice. Sign the guest book and give your condolences or light a candle at genandtfuneralhome.com.