Norma "Jean" Baker (nee Hidlebaugh), age 93, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Monday, August 21, 2023. Survived by her children; Kenneth (Robin) Baker, James (Mary) Baker III, Nancy (John) Long and Karen Baker, grandchildren; Amy (Aaron) Mashburn, Benjamin (Katie) Baker, Sarah Hooper, Gina (Rob) Miller, Lisa (David) Kochanowicz, David Baker, Ashley (Mia) Harrier, Kara Ridner, Rebecca Harvell, Dan (Katie) Long, Kristin (Jason) Barnett, great grandchildren; Madelyn, Victoria, Joshua, Noah, Ada, Elijah, Zoe, Oliver, Killian, Rune, Azalea, Jade, Nolan, Hannah, Haley, Brooklyn, Johnny, Mykinley, Bradie and Madison, special friend Deanna Wollek, numerous nieces and nephews, her faithful canine companions "Jay" and "Coco" and her singing canary "Sunny".

Preceded in death by her parents Sylvester and Zelma Hidlebaugh, husband James H. Baker (2012), daughter Debra Harrier, grandson Joshua Baker, siblings Virgil Hidlebaugh, Reba Bennett, Treva Friddle and Marcella Nicholson.

Jean was born in Metcalf, IL. She was a Wilmington High School Graduate and went on to become a L.P.N. through the Joliet Township Nurses Training program. Jean and James married on August 20, 1950. Jean worked for Silver Cross Hospital, Joliet and Bensenville Nursing Home in Peotone. Jean was a lifetime member of Faith Connection of Wilton Center formerly known as Wilton Center Federated Church in Wilton Center where she held several offices. She was also a member of the Will County Farm Bureau where she served as the Illinois State Representative for several years. Jean also served as an election judge in her precinct for a number of years. Jean had a large social circle; she was a part of the Mr. & Mrs. Euchre Club and Manhattan Alley Cats Bowling League. She also enjoyed crocheting, traveling, gardening and collecting recipes to name a few. A fond family memory was the many family fishing trips to Minnesota and in her latter years, with her husband and her daughter Karen. Jean also truly embraced the farmer's wife role, always having meals prepared or bringing food out to the fields. A dessert was always ready at the end of a long day. Jean was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend and she will be dearly missed. The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Karen for the years of love, support and caregiving she has shown mom.

Visitation for Jean will take place on Sunday, August 27, 2023 from 2-6:00 P.M. at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, Manhattan. Jean will lie-in-state on Monday, August 28, 2023 from 10-11:00 A.M at Fatih Connection of Wilton Center (WCFC). Funeral service will be the same morning at 11:00 A.M., Pastor Zach Dyrda officiating. Interment at Wilton Cemetery will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers donations to Manhattan Fire Department, P.O. Box 65, Manhattan, IL 60442 or to Faith Connection of Wilton Center, 14101 West Joliet Rd., Manhattan, IL 60442. Arrangements entrusted Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forysthegouldfh.com.