Shirley Jean Baker

Shirley Jean Eertmoed Baker, 93, of Pekin, passed away at 1:35 p.m., Monday, August 10, 2020 at UnityPoint Health - Pekin Hospital. Shirley began her journey home just steps away from where she started her life.Born in the original section of Pekin Hospital on April 13, 1927, Shirley was the only daughter and first child of Fred Irvin and Florence Edith (Hull) Eertmoed, both of Pekin. She married Robert Frederick Evans on October 10, 1946 at the Second Reformed Church in Pekin. They divorced in 1966.Robert died July 20, 1982 in Pekin.She later married James Ardel Baker of Meredosia, IL on November 1, 1968 in Beardstown, IL.James passed away on December 2, 2003 in Decatur, IL. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, her parents; one son, Robert David Robbie' Evans; one daughter, Lori Ann Evans; two brothers, Robert Wayne Eertmoed and James Richard Eertmoed; her sister-in-law, Sally Marie Eertmoed, her maternal grandfather, William Rush' Hull; and her paternal grandparents, Fred Allen and Irma (Von Boeckmann) Eertmoed. Shirley is survived by one son, Scott Alan Evans of Pekin; two daughters, Debra Lynn (Michael Bruce) Esteppe, and Jody Deanne (Edmund Francis) McFarlin, both of Pekin; five grandchildren, Michelle Dianne Evans (Ryan) Knowles; Timothy Alan Evans; Brock Michael McFarlin; Joshua Bruce Esteppe; and Dalynn Deanne McFarlin, all of Pekin; 3 great grandsons, Ethan Avery Alan Evans, Brayden Alan Evans, and Ayden Montgomery Knowles, all of Pekin; one brother, Fred Eugene (the late Sally Marie) Eertmoed of Pekin, one nephew, Fred Reuben (Song) Eertmoed of Pekin; one niece, Lesa Marie (Michael) Stevenor of Canton;many cousins and a large extended family, all of who will miss her very much. Shirley lived her first three years with her parents on her maternal grandfather's farm south of Pekin. Shirley and her parents lived at the farm with her grandfather and her two uncles, Walter Louis 'Doodie' Hull and Donald Albert 'Nonnie' Hull.In 1930, the family moved into a newly built house on Catherine Street in the Beantown section of Pekin, where she lived, along with her younger brother, Fred, during her adolescent and teenage years. The neighborhood was full of Shirley's cousins and many other children her age who became lifelong friends, so there was never a shortage of things to do or fun to be had. Every Saturday, she would accompany her mother to her grandfather's farm to help doing the weekly cleaning. A large part of the work was to pick up the newspapers from the floor, which would be covered with dirt and mud brought in on the boots from the farmyard and barns.Then fresh newspapers would be put down to keep the floor clean from the next week's crop of dirt. However, the work would usually result in dinner before they returned home, because at the same time her mother would be preparing meals for the week for Shirley's grandfather and uncles and there would be usually be enough for that day's meal. As much as anything she loved and missed her mother's delicious home cooking. Holidays were doubly exciting as her family would pack up and head out to her grandfather's farm for lunch. They would then return to town for the evening meal at Shirley's paternal grandparents, who lived across the street on Catherine St, and an evening full of fun with cousins. She also enjoyed going across the street early in the morning to spend time with her paternal grandmother.Her grandmother would be baking bread for the day, with the uncooked loaves rising by the registers through the house, waiting for an open spot in the oven. Shirley attended Garfield School and Washington Junior High schools. A graduate of Pekin Community High School in 1945, she demonstrated her lifelong school spirit years later by participating in protests against the demolition of West Campus. At Pekin High School, she became very proficient as a typist and stenographer. When she was 15 and 16, she worked during the summer at the Tazewell County Treasurer's office, typing up property tax forms.During her last two years in high school, she worked for the Tazewell County Superintendent of Schools as a secretary.She would attend her normal classes in the morning, leave school at 1:00, walk downtown from West Campus and work the rest of the school day at the courthouse. After graduating, Shirley became a secretary in the Juvenile Probation office.She would accompany the Juvenile Probation officer on home visits to those on probation. She would assist in checking on living conditions for probationers, ensuring they had food, supervision and decent housing. She would take notes for the officer and type up the reports of their findings, adding her own conclusions and notes as well. In the early 1950's, Shirley worked for the Pekin Hospital Park Avenue Expansion Fundraising drive, which raised $750,000 locally for the six-story addition on Park Avenue, which doubled the hospital's capacity and was dedicated in 1955. Shirley also worked as a typist for a number of years at Pekin Prescription Lab in the late 1950's and early 1960's. She was a lifelong member of Second Reformed Church in Pekin. Most of the church's members lived in the Beantown area, including many of Shirley's relatives, so it was a true family church.She attended church services, Sunday School and participated in Christian Endeavor and other church youth activities. She was saddened by the church's closing late last year and attended the final church service. Following her marriage to Robert Evans, they lived at her parent's house for a short period, at several other places in Pekin, and back to her parent's house.In December 1949, Shirley and Robert were blessed with a son, Robert David Robbie' Evans. Sadly, their joy was to be short lived as Robbie passed away in April 1950. In 1952, they moved into a brand new house on Sheridan Road, which was built by her husband, father, other family members and local builders. With them they brought their daughter, Debra Lynn, who had been born earlier that year.During the following years, they welcomed a son, Scott Alan, and another daughter, Jody Deanne. They suffered another loss in 1962 with the loss of their stillborn daughter, Lori Ann. Unfortunately, Shirley and Robert divorced in 1966. Shirley married James Ardel Baker of Meredosia, IL on November 1, 1968 in Beardstown, IL.Initially, they lived in Jim's hometown of Meredosia, IL, but soon began to follow Jim's work. They lived in various locations in Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois, while Jim worked as an operating engineer on large highway and dam construction projects throughout those states.Wherever they landed, Shirley worked a wide variety of jobs, including secretary, home care assistant, and waitress. After retirement, Shirley and Jim moved back to Meredosia.While living there, Shirley worked at Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville as a secretary/typist for several years. She also worked as a home care assistant for several elderly residents in Meredosia. Following Jim's death, Shirley moved back home to Pekin and had lived at Court Place at 230 Court since 2004.She enjoyed the special events and dinners during her time at Court Place and became close friends with several of her fellow tenants.She enjoyed her apartment, watching the activity on the street below, and the sunsets over the river. She was always watching the skies for the next storm. She loved looking at old family photos and reminiscing about school and church memories and family activities over the years.Of course, this always led to her placing more new and old photos of her family anywhere she had room. Shirley enjoyed relaxing in her recliner in front of her television.She enjoyed watching her soap operas every weekday. She faithfully watched her favorite religious program, 'The Hour of Power', every Saturday night. She also enjoyed crime dramas, westerns and watching the news on television. She also enjoyed reading the newspaper every day; until her eyesight faded she would read the Pekin, Peoria, and Jacksonville newspapers.Shirley was also a diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed watching their games on television whenever she could. More than anything, Shirley loved her family and spending time with them. She loved attending family reunions and visiting with family she hadn't seen recently. She loved birthday celebrations and holiday dinners with her children, and especially, her grandchildren and great grandchildren.She enjoyed watching them grow up, was proud of all of them and loved attending their activities and sports events whenever she could. She was a special bright light who will be greatly missed by all of her family until we can be together again. Funeral Services will be at 2:00 PM Friday, August 14, 2020 at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory, 2131 Velde Drive, Pekin with Rev. Chuck Grogan officiating. Visitation will be from 12:30 - 2:00 PM Friday at the funeral home. Social Distancing and face masks are recommended. Burial will be in Woodrow Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Muscular Dystrophy Association. Cemetery Woodrow Cemetery Rural Pekin,IL 61554 Funeral Service Friday, August 14, 2020 2:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Friday, August 14, 2020 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554