Deborah Joan (Palmer) Baker, age 68 passed away at her daughter's residence after a yearlong illness on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. Deborah was born Christmas Eve 1953 to the late James R. and Joan (Bell) Palmer. Deb was a resident of Fort Wayne most of her life until moving to Crooked Lake, Columbia City in 2004. She attended Bishop Luers, and graduated from Wayne High School in 1973, where she met the love of her life, James Douglas Baker. They married July 12, 1975 and remained happily together for 42 years. Deb and Jim raised four kids, three dogs, a cat and numerous other creatures over the years. Home life was chaotic at times, but always full of laughter and the smell of cookies or bread baking in the oven. Deb held several jobs over the course of her life, but she was primarily and proudly a homemaker. She had a giving spirit and spent her time in PTA, working swim/dive meets, volunteering with the Allen County Genealogical Society, Master Gardeners, Settlers, and most recently at Southwick Elementary School.
Her life was devoted to family and friends, especially those in need. Strangers were just people she hadn't met yet. Surviving are her children, Brenda (Jeremiah) Lenegar, Daniel (Allison), Brian (Kirsten), and Diana Baker; her grandchildren,Madeleine, Beau, James, Jacob, Oskar, Owen, Chase and Dane; her uncle Fred (Marilyn) Bell and several cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, James F. Palmer, in 1978 and her beloved husband in 2017. A visitation for Deborah will be held Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at C.M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home, 1327 North Wells Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. with visitation one hour prior to service at C.M. Sloan & Sons Funeral Home,1327 North Wells Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society, PSC Partners seeking a cure or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sloanandsonsfuneralhome.com for the Baker family.
