Florence Eileen “Flo” Baker, age 82, a lifelong Plymouth resident, passed away peacefully Thursday morning, September 18, 2025 at The Willows at Willard.
Florence was born April 27, 1943 in Shelby, the daughter of the late Dominic and Olive (Goin) Dorion. A 1961 graduate of Plymouth High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Earl Duane “Butch” Baker, on February 11, 1961. From saving her a seat on the bus every day from second grade on, through their loving 55 years of marriage, Flo and Butch had a lifetime of happy memories and adventures.
Flo exemplified the spirit of a devoted homemaker, finding profound joy in raising both her children and grandchildren. Her love for them was intense and unconditional. Together with Butch, Flo dedicated herself to providing for the family’s needs—tending the garden, canning its harvest, sewing clothes for her children, and ensuring every detail of their well-being was met. She generously gave her time as a classroom mother, den mother, and Girl Scout leader, in addition to actively volunteering in any of their involvements.
Flo instilled loving behavior among her children, teaching them that by caring for and playing with their siblings, they then, in turn, could play with others. Her grandchildren were all instilled with the same reminders to “make good choices and be careful,” and her heartfelt words, “remember, my life is in your hands.” Above all, Flo’s enduring message to her family was simple yet profound: “All you have to do to receive my love is breathe.”
After her children had grown and graduated from high school, Flo took a part-time job at RR Donnelley and Sons in Willard which she truly enjoyed for 15 years. She was an inventor in her own right, having designed, and made to completion, many gadgets and items before they ever existed to the common world. Taking inventor to a different level, she truly was the architect and designer of the home she and Butch built for themselves, which was laid out tastefully, practically, and perfectly.
Well known for her sass and high spirit, Flo was incredibly witty and funny to the end. A wonderful cook, she was a dear friend to a multitude of coffee drinkers at the Frontier Inn in downtown Plymouth. She was a passionate reader who found comfort and inspiration in the pages of her favorite books. Music was another of her lifelong loves; she not only enjoyed listening but also delighted in singing. Her gentle voice often used to calm stressful situations or family commotion, which we all know too well.
Surviving are her four children: Duane Scott Baker (Debbie Yuschak) of Shelby, Kelly (Jim) Shifferly of Delaware, Shannan (Ken) Jones of Shelby, and Lisa Baker of Shelby; grandchildren: Adam (Kristen) Baker, Kyle Baker, Ashley Medley, Jordan Baker, Justin Baker, Alexis Jones, Jared (Iris) Baker, and Nicole Jones; great grandchildren: Bryce, Gavin, Dean, Kyleigh, Reegan, Presley, Lila, Elliott, Clementine, Jonah, Scotty, and Gia; siblings: Marian Krisha and Mike (Cindy) Dorion; in-laws: Norma Dorion, Sandy Baker, Betty Vredenburgh, Donna Jean Kamann, Junior Baker, Dixie (John) Hart, Vicki Resendez, and Cindy (Doug) Smith; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
In addition to her parents, Flo was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Butch, on December 9, 2016; siblings: David Dorion, Jane Morse, Olive Anne Kempf, Benjamin Dorion, Francis Dorion, Jim Dorion, and Pat Dorion; her sister and best friend: Nora Lofland; and her best friend and sister by choice: Josephine Curpen.
The family would like to express their immense gratitude to the staff of The Willows at Willard and Buckeye Hospice for their loving care and gentle guidance given not only to Flo, but to the entire family.
Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 4-7 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 10:30 am. Fr. Chris Mileski will officiate the services with burial following in Greenlawn Cemetery in Plymouth. A meal and gathering will following the burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fr. Conces Hall, 119 Plymouth Street, Plymouth, OH 44865.
Condolences may be left on Flo’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome)