Josephine Ann “Jo Ann” Baker, 86, of De Soto died March 14, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Baker worked for the International Shoe Co., as a cafeteria worker for the De Soto School District and as a babysitter. She was a member of the VFW Post 1831 Women’s Auxiliary and a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues. Born Aug. 16, 1938, in St. Louis, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Annalee (Hetzel) Brown.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Calvin E. “Gene” Baker.
She is survived by six children: Hart (Lillian) Vernon of Imperial, Keith (Nancy) Vernon of Imperial, Linda (Clay) Henry of De Soto, Ann Marie (Chris) Houska of Fenton, Dr. Stephan (Kim) Baker, Lt. Col. Ret., of Wentzville and Jerome “Dean” (Mary) Baker of Festus; two sisters: Mary Stelmach of St. Louis and Linda (Bill) McGuire of St. Louis; a sister-in-law: Diane Brown; 22 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.
She also was preceded in death by two children: Karen McIntyre and Gary Baker; two sisters: Barbara Van Doren and Jacquelyn Howe; a brother: Paul Brown; and three brothers-in-law: Bruce Stelmach, Charlie Van Doren and Fred Howe.
Visitation is scheduled from 4 p.m. until a funeral service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main, in De Soto, officiated by Brian Nappier. A funeral procession will form at Dietrich Mothershead Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 20, for an 11:15 a.m. arrival time at the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to De Soto Goes Pink, P.O. Box 68, De Soto, MO 63020. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.