Ila M. Baker

Ila M. Baker
June 30, 1928-Dec. 1, 2013

Ila M. Baker, age 85, of Clare, passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2013, surrounded by her family and friends, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was born on June 30, 1928, the daughter of Manuel and Clara (Compeau) Sutton. Ila attended Clare High School and following graduation she went on to work for Michigan Bell Telephone Company as an operator. After the phone company, Ila worked at the Doherty Hotel as a bartender for over 48 years. She was well known throughout Michigan for her entertaining skills from behind the bar and had won the first annual "Governor's Award" for individual contributions to tourism as Bartender of the Year in 1986. In 2006, her quick wit and friendly smile earned her the honor of serving as Grand Marshall of the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. She had been one of the charter members of the Irish Committee 31 years ago. Ila retired from the Doherty in 2008, and enjoyed being with friends and family, especially her grandchildren. She was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by all.
Ila is survived by her daughter, Lori Duffett of Farwell; her son, Arthur Brad (Loretta) Baker of Farwell; her sister, Bessie Nystrom of Farwell; a nephew, Joe (Kathy) Graves of Rockford, Illinois; granddaughter, Kristina (Nicole) Haring of Clare; her grandsons, Philip (Cassie ) Baker, Patrick Baker, all of Lake, Arthur Brad (Christin) Baker, Jr. of Farwell; eight great grandchildren; and many more nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Baker; her sisters, Hazel McDonald and Marcia Ray; and her brothers, Norm and Stan Sutton.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 11 a.m. from the St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Clare with Burial in Cherry Grove Cemetery. Friends may call at the Clare Chapel of Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. If you are unable to attend, you are invited to leave an online condolence message for her family at
www.stephenson-wyman.com