CENTERVILLE —
Jerry J. Baker, 67, of Centerville, died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. He was born the son of Charles Frances and Elgie Marie (Everly) Baker on Feb. 17, 1944 in Oskaloosa. 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. 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. 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 the Antique Airplane Association.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; first wife, Elizabeth Baker on Feb. 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; sons, Greg Baker of Centerville and William Baker and his wife, Kristy of Rockvale, Tenn.; a daughter, Teresa Baker of Ottumwa; step-sons; Bob Lippert of Albia, Mike Lippert and his wife, Connie of Moravia and David Lippert and his wife, Sherry of Albia; a step-daughter, Susan Bronson and her husband, David of Riverton, Wyo.; a brother, Fred Baker of Grinnell; sisters, Nancy VandeHarr of Oskaloosa and Joan Hanna of Urbandale; eight grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren and four step-great grandchildren.
A celebration of Jerry's life will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with Jim Senior officiating. Burial of his ashes will follow at the Haines Cemetery north of Centerville. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 31 from 2-8 p.m. at the funeral home with the family present from 6-8 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Iowa State Patrol's "Trooper Teddy" program and can be left at or mailed to the funeral home.
The Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, Iowa is caring for the Baker family at this time and condolences can be sent at: schmidtfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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Jerry J. Baker Submitted photo
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January 30, 2012
