Helen J. Baron

Helen J. Baron (nee Meschuk), age 99, a resident of Joliet, IL since 1952, formerly of East Chicago, IN, passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at St. Patrick's Residence in Naperville. She was born on November 7, 1925, in Texas City, TX.
Beloved wife of the late Joseph Baron, whom she married June 14, 1952 and who preceded her in death on July 23, 1963, loving mother of Donna (Ron) Nordin, Patricia (Marty) Glapa, Joanne (Mark) Bernhard, Susan (Matt) Paulson, Laura Sabalaskey and Mark (Liz) Baron, adored grandmother of Alex (Hailey) Nordin and Kara Nordin; Stephanie (Matt) Sayers and Kristina (John) Simon; Eric (Annelene) Bernhard, Heidi (Jacob) Clinard, Cathy (Clayton) Boessen and Andrew Bernhard; Sarah (Nathan) Koelln, Steven Sabalaskey and Brian Sabalaskey; Nicholas (Stephanie) Baron and Katherine Baron, cherished great-grandmother of twenty-one, devoted daughter of the late Alexander and Tekla Meschuk, dear sister of the late John, Anne, Steve, William "Bill" and Dolores, fond aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt and friend of many.
Helen Meschuk lived in East Chicago, IN for most of her young life. She was a member of a bowling league, and competed against Joe Baron's league one day. Helen and Joe "strike(d)" a match, and married soon after.
After they married, they built a new home in Joliet, IL, that they filled with 6 children. After Joe's early passing, Helen raised her children by herself. She also cared for her mother and father, and mother-in-law who were still living in East Chicago, IN, and Joliet, IL.
Helen had 13 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren and loved being with all of them. One of her favorite things to do was to teach and play the card game "4 Kings in a Corner" with each of them.
Helen had a swing set in her backyard that the grandchildren loved to play on. They also enjoyed catching fireflies in the evenings by her house, playing at the nearby park, and enjoying ice cream at a local ice cream shop while being with her.
She loved baking her specialty recipes of poppyseed cake, potica, and kolachkes. She would offer to bring her poppyseed cake to each person's home when they were hosting a special occasion.
She knew how to knit at a young age, and then later in life learned to crochet. She enjoyed making and distributing her finished pieces among her family members and friends.
She avidly followed current events, and spent many years as an election judge for local and federal elections.
Just lately she would mention that she was lucky to have lived such a long life, and that she never expected to reach 99 years. Her family is so happy that she was able to be a part of our lives, and participate in all our important family occasions throughout the years.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, 9:00-10:00 AM at St. Patrick's Residence, 1400 Brookdale Rd., Naperville, IL 60563.
A Mass of Christian Burial will follow Saturday, 10:00 AM at St. Patrick's Residence.
Interment: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Lockport, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
St. Patrick's Residence, 1400 Brookdale Road, Naperville, IL 60563, (630) 416-6565, www.stpatricksresidence.org
Arrangements by Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St, Naperville, IL 60540.
For more information, please call (630) 355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com