of Saint Joe, AR

February 17, 1940 - January 11, 2023

Our hard-working, no-nonsense, creative, smart, and witty husband, father, and grandfather left his earthly body behind on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. He was undoubtedly greeted by his mother, Carrie Fola Baker; his father, Ernest J. Schorghofer; his step-father, Elmer E Baker; and his brothers, Joseph Jack Schorghofer and James Allen Baker. He was born on February 17, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio.

He leaves behind his bride of 50 years, Cynthia S. Baker; two sons, Dennis Baker (Laura) and John J. Baker, Jr (Ladonna); two daughters, Dallasandra Baker and Jennifer Baker Dill (Matthew); one sister, Linda Mae Richardson (Tom); one sister-in-law, Laurie Schorghofer; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

John spent his early years working on or with anything that had a motor. If it made a noise or it was broken, he could fix it. He was a machinist by trade and did so while he served in the Navy. He was a self-taught guitarist and could play just about anything he heard. He learned to play by ear and continued to do it until his fingers wouldn't allow him to.

John was a talented artist and drew, with incredible accuracy, houses, cars, dinosaurs, trains, and airplanes, diagrams of things he would later craft with his bare hands and some raw materials. If he could dream it, he could make it. He took up writing and wrote short stories and even an entire book. He would write congressmen, editors, and anyone to whom he had something to say.

He was a strong conservative with Christian values and wasn't afraid to stand his ground. He always did what was right and expected that of those around him. He had the best stories and was (arguably) the OG of dad jokes. There wasn't a pun that was too corny for him.


Visitation was Friday, January 20, 2023, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.

The memorial service was Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Roller-Christeson Funeral Home.

Honorary pallbearers were John's grandchildren, great-grandchildren, Fred Fredlund, Mike Fournier, Jim Adams, and the staff at the Leslie Clinic.

While we are deeply saddened by his departure, we find comfort in knowing that he has been made whole again. Until we see you again, daddy.

Love, us.

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