David E. Baker

David Edward Baker

Age 85, of North Fort Myers, FL, beloved husband of Lynn Michele Ridings (nee Krusche), died Tuesday, August 30, 2022. Dave was born June 26, 1937, in Ransom, IL, to Raymond and Anora (nee Jessen) Baker, the seventh of their 18 children. He attended St. Patrick's grade school and graduated from Joliet Catholic High School in 1955. Dave married Joanne Louise Richards on January 5, 1957, in Joliet, IL and were together until her death in 1985. They had 6 children, Norma Jo (Chad Thompson), Susan (Mark Eugenides), Linda Marie (Jeff Knowles), Tiger Ann (Dean Studer), Gerri Rae (Flannery) and David Joseph Baker. He married Lynn Ridings on August 21, 2010, in Elwood, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joanne, his daughter Gerri Rae, his brothers Raymond Jr., William, and Robert, and his sisters Donna Baker and Althea Hertko. David was a carpenter and business owner who framed more than 4000 houses in Will County. He found great joy and meaning in music and while his favorite was Johnny Cash, he loved Neil Diamond, Elvis, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and many others. He lived most of his life in the Joliet, IL, area and enjoyed bowling, fishing, traveling, growing tomatoes, birdwatching, playing cards - especially gin rummy - and golf, even with a prosthetic leg. He loved attending family reunions and being with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Lynn, his brothers Joe, Chris, Allen, Jim, John, and Richard; sisters, June Robbins, Janet Watson, Mary McNamara, Ann Schlipp, Joyce Manzini and Elsie Allison, 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends for a Memorial Visitation at Kurtz Memorial Chapel 102 E. Francis Rd. New Lenox, IL on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 2:00pm – 5:00pm.