Homer Andrew Baker

Homer Andrew Baker, age 84 years, a resident of rural Vienna, Illinois, passed away Monday morning, September 2, 2024, at 9:55 A.M. at Baptist Health in Paducah, Kentucky. Homer was born November 17, 1939 in the Bloomfield community in Johnson County Illinois. He was the son of Homer Edward Baker and Gladys Fern (Whiteside) Baker. On April 26, 1975, Homer was united in marriage to Gloria Jean Hill at the First Baptist Church in Joliet, Illinois. She survives. Other survivors include: children – Donna (Gayron, Jr.) Ferguson and Pam (Paul “Ed”) Franklin all of Paducah, Kentucky, Edward Andrew Baker Dixon of Murray, Kentucky; a son-in-law Steve Rose of Ullin, Illinois; several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; his sisters – Helen Burnett of Vienna, Illinois, Louise (W.J.) McGill of Simpson, Illinois, Margaret (Carl) Cameron of Vienna, Illinois, and Sue Bench of Vienna, Illinois; brothers-in-law – Charles Becker of Springfield, Illinois, Jerry (Katrena) Whiteside of Gary, Indiana, and Robert Allen (Mary Ann) Hill; sisters-in-law – Mary Jane Whiteside of Joliet, Illinois, Greta Chitwood of St. Louis, Missouri and Sue (David) Ray of Texas; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. In addition to his parents, Homer was preceded in death by: an infant brother – James Howard Baker, a daughter – Barbara Rose, a sister – Gertrude Becker, a daughter-in-law – Mary Snyder Dixon; brothers-in-law – Johnny Whiteside, Charles Bench, Ben Burnett, and Charles “Ed” Chitwood; and 2 nephews. Homer attended Vienna High School. He was employed as a surveyor by Harry Blizzard Engineering & Survey Company. During his employment with Harry Blizzard, Homer was involved in survey work on a number of Chicago Expressway projects as well as O’Hare Airport runway projects. Following his return to Southern Illinois, Homer was employed as a surveyor in the development and construction phase of the Arclar Willow Creek Mine, near Equality, Illinois, which employed over 400 people. Homer was a longtime Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor and supported many individuals during their recovery. Homer enjoyed working on his computer. He also enjoyed spending time on his tractor mowing. Homer loved music and singing karaoke throughout the region. He was of the Christian faith. A Graveside Service honoring the life of Homer Baker will be conducted Thursday morning, September 5, 2024, at 11 A.M. at Taylor Cemetery, north of Vienna. Pastor David Faulkner will officiate. Interment will follow. Those attending the service are invited to gather at the cemetery at 10:45 A.M. Thursday morning. Memorials may be made to the Hugs Project of Western Kentucky, 4931 Epperson Road, Paducah, Kentucky 42003 or to Taylor Cemetery, c/o Connie Taylor, 5340 U.S. Highway 45 North, Vienna, Illinois 62995.

Homer Andrew Baker

November 17, 1939 - September 2, 2024