Ilene Faye (Battersby) Baker passed away peacefully in the early morning of December 31, 2019 at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria Illinois. She was 91 years young. Born in Berkley, Michigan May 16, 1928 to Fred and Florence Battersby. She moved to Kewanee, Illinois as a child and lived there for the remainder of her life.
Ilene was a progressive working mother and volunteer. She began work as a telephone operator as a teenager. Later, returning to school and graduating from Kewanee High School in 1949. She attended Black Hawk East. She worked many years with her sister, Janis, at the Henry County Courthouse in the Assessor’s Office and Voter’s Registration Office. She retired as administrative assistant at the Kewanee Public Library. For many years, she served with honor on the Friends of the Library Board. She was a member of the Eastern Star for over 50 years, member of the American Legion Auxiliary for over 50 years and member of the Kewanee Association of Business and Professional Women where she was president and selected Woman of the Year by that organization. Ilene was a 75-year member of the Kewanee United Methodist Church where she served as Sunday School Director, Sunday School teacher, member of the Methodist Women’s Club Past president of the Guild Circle as well as other committees. She balanced her work life being a creative homemaker who enjoyed playing bridge, sewing, knitting, crossword puzzles and decorating the family home. Ilene took the most pride in being the wife to Bob and mother to her three busy children. As culinary serf, she enjoyed perfecting the recipe for “Potato Surprise,” which has appeared in numerous respectable cookbooks. She enjoyed regularly making her family’s favorite meals known as reservations.
On July 31, 1949, she married the love of her life, and chauffeur, Robert E Baker, who precedes her in death, at the First United Methodist Church in Kewanee, Illinois. They enjoyed 67 full and active years together. She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Kathleen Faye McMahon (Bill) Naperville, Illinois, Michelle Martha Price (Robert) Fort Worth, Texas, and Robert Jon Baker (Lynette) Kalamazoo, Michigan. Also survived by five grandchildren and spouses: Courtney Ilene (Steve) Roberts, Fort Worth, Texas, Mark (Brittany) McMahon, Akron, Ohio, Amanda (Jordan) Beery, Allegan, Michigan, Katelyn Faye Baker (fiancé Alex Contreras), Kalamazoo, Michigan, SSGT R. Paul Baker (USAF) Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. Also blessed with three great grandchildren: Ava Michelle Roberts, Fort Worth, Texas, Zooey M. McMahon, Akron, Ohio, Arthur T. Beery, Allegan Michigan. Also surviving is sister Janis Craig, Kewanee, Illinois and niece Denise (Jim) Hodge, Kewanee, Illinois, nephew Brick (Monica) Battersby, Tacoma, Washington, Nephew Brad (June) Battersby, Sarasota, Florida and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her loving parents Fred and Florence Battersby and brother James M. Battersby.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Friday, January 3, 2020 at the First United Methodist Church. Pastor Kevin Drane will officiate. Burial will be in the Evergreen Memorial Garden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service on Friday, January 3, 2020 at the church. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Ilene to Kewanee United Methodist Church. Please leave an online condolence for Ilene’s family at www.schuenemantumblesonfuneralhome.com.

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