Ruth Baker

Ruth Baker, 85, of New London, Mo. passed away at 2:10 p.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017, at Willow Care Center in Hannibal. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. Pastor Tom Day will officiate. Burial will be in Barkley Cemetery in New London, Mo. Visitation will be held 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel. Ruth was born on June 19, 1931, in Ralls County, Mo. the daughter of Glenn and Olive (Turner) Harlinger. She was raised by Ruben and Eva Rogers from an early age. Ruth was united in marriage to William E. "Bill" Baker on December 18, 1949, in Hannibal, Mo. Bill preceded her death on February 26, 2017. Survivors include one son, Bruce Baker and wife Bettye of University Park, Fl.; three daughters, Lois Swon and husband David of New London, Mo., Pam Matson and husband Larry of New London, Mo., and Penny Nesbitt and fiancé J.D. Overstreet of Hannibal, Mo.; son-in-law, Donald Kent of New London, Mo; two sisters, Sara Kerr of Dardanelle, Ar., and Evelyn Thurmon of Troy, Mo.; sister and brother-in-law, Billy Joe and Joan Klise of New London, Mo.; thirteen grandchildren; twenty five great grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews and her cat Boots that she cherished. In addition to her parents and parents that raised her, Mrs. Baker was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Kent, two brothers, Glenn and Charles Harlinger, and one granddaughter. Ruth graduated from New London High School in the class of 1949. Shortly upon graduation she was united in marriage to the love of her life Bill. They had celebrated 67 years of marriage in December of 2016. Ruth worked at Southwestern Bell in Hannibal as a Switchboard Operator, Western Printing in Hannibal and later retired from Cerf Brothers Bag Co. in New London. Ruth enjoyed working in her garden, canning the produce from her garden for her family to enjoy, reading, sewing, and making quilts. The thing she enjoyed the most was attending sales and auctions with her husband. She enjoyed collecting bells, elephants, books and one would say, anything she could collect. The thing that Ruth cherished the most was cooking for family gatherings, and the time spent with her family. Mrs. Baker was a member of the New London First Christian Church. Pallbearers will be Ryan Kent, Justin White, Josh White, Enoch Matson, Nick Nesbitt, and Billy Joe Klise. Honorary pallbearers will be Mrs. Baker's granddaughters. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church of New London or donor's choice, in care of the Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.