MIFFLINTOWN, Zelda M. Baker, 94, of Mifflintown passed away at 7:01 p.m. on Monday, September 1, 2014 at her home, surrounded by family and friends.
Born on May 4, 1920 in Metal, Franklin County, she was the daughter of the late John D. and Hulda Mary (Wincer) Laird. Her late husband, William C. Baker, whom she married on September 11, 1939, preceded her in death on April 19, 1974 after more than 34 years of marriage.
Surviving are a daughter, Rayona C. Baker, of Lewistown, her grandchildren, Shawn W. Yoder, Whitney L. Yetter and three great grandchildren, Landen T. Grove, Bentley A. Spickler and Arabella L. Yoder. She also fostered 22 children and has many nieces and nephews. Her neighbors, Ken Deamer and Sally (Gearhart) Staley, were also very special to her and loved her like a mother.
The last of 14 children, she was preceded in death by 8 sisters and 5 brothers, as well as a granddaughter, Kathy Lou Taylor.
In earlier life she was employed as a nanny in private homes, later she was employed in the Tire Fabric Dept. of American Viscose Corp. before working as a seamstress in the Cluett- Peabody Shirt Factory, both of Lewistown. Later, she worked as a cook in various restaurants and she and her husband owned and operated Baker’s Hardware, McVeytown.
Zelda’s hobbies were cooking, sewing and yard work.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2014 from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge St., Mifflintown with the Pastor David P. Fultz officiating. Interment will follow in the Juniata Memorial Park, Lewistown.
Viewing will be from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2014 from the funeral home.
The family will provide all funeral flowers and kindly ask that memorial donations in Mrs. Baker’s memory be made to the Central Juniata EMS, P.O. Box 133, Mifflintown, PA 17059.