Baker, Jerry J. 1945-2012

BAKER, EVERLY, GEARHART, LIPPERT, HERIFORD, BRONSON, VANDEHAAR, HANNA

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/22/2021 at 09:09:04

Jerry J. Baker
January 27, 1945 - January 27, 2012

Jerry J. Baker, age 67, of Centerville, Iowa, died Friday, January 27, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. He was born the son of Charles Frances and Elgie Marie (Everly) Baker on February 17, 1944 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. He graduated from the Lynnville-Sully High School in 1962.On June 20, 1963, Jerry was united in marriage to Elizabeth A. Gearhart in Grinnell, Iowa. He was involved in Construction work on Interstate 80 as a Surveyor. Then in 1966, Jerry began his career with the Iowa State Patrol as a State Trooper for more than 33 years. He, along with his wife, Elizabeth, started the "Trooper Teddy" program at the State Patrol. This was a program to give each child a Trooper Teddy when they needed comforting in a time of emergency. On July 7, 2001, Jerry was united in marriage to Louise Lippert in Centerville, Iowa. He enjoyed riding the rails in his railcar and traveling around the Midwest with other railcar enthusiasts. He was a member of the Iowa State Troopers Association, the North American Railcar Operators Association and most recently, Antique Airplane Association.He was preceded in death by: his parents; 1st wife, Elizabeth Baker on February 8, 2000; a daughter-in-law, Roseann Baker on June 17, 2011; a brother, Tony Baker; and a step-daughter, Sherri Heriford. Jerry is survived by: his wife, Louise Baker of Centerville, Iowa; sons, Greg Baker of Centerville, Iowa and William Baker and his wife, Kristy of Rockvale, Tennessee; a daughter, Teresa Baker of Ottumwa, Iowa; step-sons; Bob Lippert of Albia, Iowa, Mike Lippert and his wife, Connie of Moravia, Iowa and David Lippert and his wife, Sherry of Albia, Iowa; a step-daughter, Susan Bronson and her husband, David of Riverton, Wyoming; a brother, Fred Baker of Grinnell, Iowa; sisters, Nancy VandeHaar of Oskaloosa, Iowa and Joan Hanna of Urbandale, Iowa; Eight grandchildren, Eight Step grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Jerry's life will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 10 am at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa with Jim Senior officiating. Burial of his ashes will follow at the Haines Cemetery north of Centerville. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 2 pm until 8 pm at the funeral home with the family present from 6 pm until 8 pm. Memorials can be made to the Iowa State Patrol's "Trooper Teddy" program and can be left at or mailed to the funeral home.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jerry J. Baker please visit our Sympathy Store. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register 30 Jan 2012.