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Obituary for John Samuel Baker, Jr.
John Samuel Baker Jr. 84, of Stuart, Iowa formerly of Redfield passed away March 12, 2022, at the Stuart Community Care Center. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at the Johnson Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Stuart Chapel, where a Masonic and Eastern Star Ceremony will be held at 7:00 P.M. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, March 17, at the Redfield United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com. John’s services will be live streamed on Thursday, March 17th and may be found at Facebook.com/johnsonfamilyfh. We will go live 15 minutes prior to the service.
John was born May 19, 1937, to John Samuel Sr. and Bethel Lucinda (McKinney) Baker in Redfield, Iowa. He grew up in Redfield and graduated from Redfield High School with the class of 1954. Following high school, John attended AIB Business School earning a degree in Accounting and Business. John enlisted in the United States Air Guard and was stationed at the Des Moines Airport during this time. He was united in marriage to Rilla Mae Williams on July 21, 1957, at the Stuart United Methodist Church and together they became the proud parents of four children, Doug, Debbie, Diane and David. Following their marriage, they made their home in Redfield. John started working for Redfield Brick and Tile/Glen Gery Brick in 1956 and worked in many positions throughout the years before retiring after 43 years of service. His last role with the company was as their District Sales Manager. After John’s retirement, he went to work as an accountant for National Investors in Redfield and continued working there until the Fall of 2021. John and Rilla were lifelong members of the Redfield United Methodist Church where he served on the board of trustees and as the church treasurer for many years. John was also an active 50+ year member of both the Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star. He served in many offices during this time and was proud to be a Past Worthy Grand Patron with the Eastern Star. John enjoyed playing and watching golf even attending a couple of PGA Tournaments over the years, playing cards, extensive traveling to many different parts of the world, league bowling, and their favorite pastime, dancing. John and Rilla met at a dance and continued dancing their hearts out throughout their life together. He also enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, was very active with the Dexfield Athletic Boosters, avid follower of kids and grandkids athletics and performing arts, watching western movies, napping in his favorite recliner, and spending time with his family.
Preceding John in death are his parents, John Sr. and Bethel Baker, siblings, Katie (Jim) Simpson, Bertie (Jack) Padilla, Charlotte (Jim) Jackson, Karen Rhoten, and grandson Tyler Yoder.
John leaves behind to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 64 years, Rilla Baker of Stuart; children, Doug (Janet) Baker of Linden, Iowa, Debbie (Ted) Stiles of Dexter, Iowa, Diane (Matthew) Haddy of Redfield, Iowa and David (Beth) Baker of St Louis, Missouri; grandchildren, Amber Baker, Scot Baker, Trevor Baker, JR (Ashley) Putney, Chad Putney, Kristin (James) Morgan, Shannon (Jarred) Herring, Tom (Jess) Stiles, Leane (Sean) Stutzman, Tyler Yoder, Wesley Yoder, Jarrod Baker, Sydney (Kado Cano) Baker and McKealy Baker: great grandchildren, Nikki Baker, Dylan Baker, Devyn Baker, Lydia Baker, Timothy Putney, Dallas Morgan, Brooks Morgan, Mia Morgan, JJ Herring, Sienna Herring, Hallie Stiles, Landen Stiles, Baby Stiles on the way and Elsie Mae Stutzman; sister Pat (Les) Parry of Lemoore, California and a host of nieces, nephews and friends all of whom will miss John dearly.
For those that knew John well, his signature phrase…“Catch ya later”!
