Obituary of Mary Ellen Baker

Funeral Services for Mary Ellen Baker of Troy, MO will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry, MO. Rev. Larry Gallaher, pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church near Foley, MO, will officiate. Inurnment will be in Asbury Cemetery near Foley at a later date. Mary Ellen, 79, passed away late Monday morning, December 18, 2023 at the Elsberry Health Care Center near Elsberry. Born September 24, 1944 in Snow Hill, MO, she was the daughter of Thomas Cecil and Clerette Hammack Wallace. Mary Ellen was a 1962 graduate of Winfield High School. Early in her career, Mary Ellen worked as the parts manager for Gladney Motors, where she met Ronnie. Mary Ellen was united in marriage on June 9, 1967 in Elsberry to Ronald James Baker, Sr. This union was blessed with four children: Ronald Jr., Sid, Natalie and Carolyn. Mary Ellen worked as a teller for Bank of Lincoln County and as a clerk for North’s Produce for many years. She was a “Grandma” for Main Street Elementary in Troy, MO. Mary Ellen was a member of the Monday Bowling League at O’Fallon Bowl in O’Fallon, MO for several years. She was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. During her stay at the Elsberry Health Care Center, Mary Ellen served on the EHCC Council Board; was a member of the yellow hat bowling team, and loved to play games, especially with Marcella and Nancy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Clerette Wallace; one brother, Jim Wallace; her son, Ronald Baker, Jr.; and her beloved husband of 26 years, Ronald Baker, Sr., who died on July 7, 1993. Survivors include one son, Sid Baker and his wife, Lydia, of Elsberry; two daughters: Natalie Halter and her husband, Todd, of Troy and Carolyn Willis and her husband, Eddie, of Troy; one daughter-in-law, Georgia Baker of Manchester, MO; eight grandchildren: Tim Baker, Amy Scognamiglio, Danielle Sitton, Mia Bausch, Samantha Miller, Jesse Willis, Jason Bausch and Sarah Bausch; and three great-grandchildren: Brooke, Bridget and Tatum Baker. Mary Ellen also leaves her nieces and nephew: Bruce Wallace, Dianna Bueneman and Cindy Burbuch; two sisters-in-law: Mary Jane Wallace of Town and Country, MO and Linda Grissom and her husband, Eldon, of Kirksville, MO; one brother-in-law, Larry Baker and his wife, Judy, of Palmyra, MO; other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, December 21, 2023 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to the Elsberry Health Care Center in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.