Bonnie Sue Baker

BAKER Bonnie Sue Baker, age 73, of New Bloomfield, passed away Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia. She was born July 7, 1936, in rural Howard County, the daughter of the late Robert Glen and Lola Grace (Chandler) Kirby. She attended schools in Centralia, Baldridge and Fayette. She graduated from Fayette High School in 1954. She married Billy Joe (Bill) Baker on December 25, 1954, in Fayette. He survives of the home. In 1956, they moved to Atchison, Kan., when Bill was transferred with Safeway. In 1968, they returned to mid-Missouri and settled in New Bloomfield. Bonnie began working at Scholastics in 1969 and remained there until her retirement in 1996. She was a member of the New Bloomfield United Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing cards and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was happy to be able to spend this last Christmas at home with all of her family. She left instructions to "always put up a tree". In addition to her husband, Bonnie is survived by three sons: William Randall (Randy) and wife Dalene of New Bloomfield, Richard (Rick) and wife Debbie of Holts Summit, and Russell (Rusty) and wife Janet of Holts Summit; eight grandchildren: Tiffany Meller (Josh) of Lohman, Tia Draffen (Chris) of Fulton, Emily Vallandingham (Trent) of Holts Summit, Erin Brown (Brandon) of Holts Summit, Dane Baker of New Bloomfield, and Derek, Abby and Amanda Baker of Holts Summit; two great-grandchildren: Jaxon and Ava Meller; two sisters: Ruth Ann Conrow and husband (Richard) of Fayette and Connie Hill of Higbee; six brothers: Bob Kirby and wife Jeanette of Colorado Springs Colo., Sam Kirby and wife Margie of Fayette, Raymond (Scrooge) Kirby and wife Billie Jean of Fayette, Robert (RG) Kirby and wife Marilyn of Fayette, Dale Kirby and wife Carol of Higbee, and Chris (Butch) Kirby of Fulton; brothers-in-law: Tom Baker and wife Linda of Arlington, Texas, and Charles Baker and wife Jenny of Columbia; sisters-in-law: Rosie Kirby of Fayette, Carolyn Kirby of Fayette, Dorothy Kirby of Hawk Point, and Irene Baker of Buell, Minn.; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Jimmy Kirby, Roger Kirby, Joe Billy (Bill) Kirby, Buddy Pete Kirby, Tom Kirby; and brother-in-law: Don Baker. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 18, at the Debo Funeral Home in Holts Summit with Rev. David Hartsfield officiating. Entombment will follow in Callaway Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Family will receive friends on Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the New Bloomfield United Methodist Church, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 10920 Old U.S. Hwy 54, P.O. Box 314, Holts Summit, MO 65043. Condolences can be sent to www.debofuneralhome.com.