Bonnie Mae Baker

Bonnie was born Bonnie Mae Gilchrist in Aurora Illinois on 20 Feb 1948 to Clarence Delmar and Anna Louise Hansen Gilchrist. She married Gary Lee McDaniel on 11 Feb 1978 in Geneva Kane Co Illinois. Of this marriage were born son James Garrett McDaniel on 29 July 1977 in Aurora Kane Co Illinois and Sandra Marie McDaniel on 16 Aug 1980 in Aurora Kane Co Illinois. Bonnie married Harold Terrance Baker on 29 Jun 1984 in Oswego Kendall Co Illinois. To this marriage was born son Ben William Baker on 8 July 1984 in Aurora Kane Co Illinois. Grandchildren: Collin Wesley and Marcus Evan Teran – sons of Pablo Antonio and Sandra Marie McDaniel Teran; And Nicolas Samson Jr and Mateo Samuel Saavedra- sons of Nicolas Saavedra and Sandra Teran - Allyson Brooke and Andan Patrick Baker – daughter and son of Ben William and Elizabeth Helen Robbins Baker.

Other children (stepchildren): Darcy Renae McDaniel daughter of Gary McDaniel and Dianne Chamberlain McDaniel Terri Lynn Baker Tilghman (Timothy); Michael Terrance Baker children of Harold T Baker and Doris Jean Costello Baker Step-grandsons - sons of Terri Lynn: Shane Michael and Chad Timothy Tilghman.Siblings: Bonnie was the 3rd child of six with siblings: Leonard Aage Gilchrist (Darla), Sue Gilchrist Lemke (the late Richard), Clarence Timothy Gilchrist, Robert Lewis Gilchrist (Marcella), William Lee Gilchrist (Rose).

Bonnie graduated in 1966 with the 100th class of East High School of Aurora Illinois and completed many hours at Waubonsee Community College in electronics, accounting, and information systems. Bonnie worked at Western Electric/AT&T in Montgomery for 27 years until the September of 1995 before its closing. She transferred to Atlanta Georgia where she worked as a Communications Technician in the SDN Center almost 7 years more, retiring from AT&T with 33 years and 11 months. Bonnie was a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR); the Society of Colonial Dames of the 17th Century (CDSVIIC); the US Daughters of 1812 Society (USD1812); National Society Daughters of American Colonists (NSDAC); Continental States Daughters of Indian Wars (CSDIW); National Society Daughters of New England Women (NSCNEW); National Society Sons and Daughters of Pilgrims (NSSDP); Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War Society (DUVCW); and Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (LGAR). Bonnie spent her younger years as a member of the Aurora Vaqueros Jr Drum and Bugle Corps in Illinois, marching in the color guard as a rifle bearer and assistant Sergeant; competing in winter color guard competitions and summer D&B contest in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Iowa. After the Vaqueros folded, she joined the Chicago Royal Airs who in 1965 won the triple crown National Titles of CYO, VFW, and American Legion; a feat that has never been duplicated. She carried the city flag of Chicago in 1965 and 66. In 1967, her last marching year, she again carried a rifle. Her love of drum corps continued in 1970 as she helped organize another corps from the Aurora land area, the Fox Valley Raiders. As a staff member for about 5 years, she taught everything she knew about rifle work and marching. Then after a long siesta of Drum Corps she returned to carry the American Flag on the field for a Reunion of the Chicago Royal Airs in the summer of 2002. Bonnie always said she could not walk alongside of someone unless she was in step.

Bonnie lived a life filled with curiosity, dedication, and a deep appreciation for history and family. Bonnie enjoyed challenging her mind with puzzles and never passed up an opportunity to play a card game, especially Pinochle, Ishy Pishy and Blitz.

An avid family genealogist, Bonnie meticulously researched her family roots back to the 1600s and took great pride in preserving her family's story. She loved learning about and documenting the history of the places she called home, including Aurora, Illinois, and Cherokee County, Georgia. A gifted storyteller, Bonnie enjoyed writing about local history, her personal memories, and the experiences that shaped her life, carefully preserving them in journals for future generations. She also cherished traveling, spending time with her grandchildren and summering at her home in Maine.Bonnie is preceded in death by:

Father Clarence Delmar Gilchrist born: 29 OCT 1922, died 14 DEC 1978Mother Anna Louise Hansen born: 4 OCT 1923, died: 9 SEP 2006Brother in law (h/o Sue) Richard James Lemke died 20 JUL 2005Brother Leonard Gilchirst born: 30 OCT 1945, died 28 JUL 2025

Survivors include her sons, James McDaniel, Ben Baker and Michael Baker; daughters, Sandra Teran and Teri Lynn (Tim) Tilghman; grandchildren, Collin Teran, Marcus Teran, Nicolas Saavedra, Mateo Saavedra, Allyson Baker and Andan Baker; brothers, Clarence “Tim” Gilchrist, Bill Gilchrist and Bob Gilchrist; sister, Sue Lemke; Best Friend, Beverly Baker.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted in the chapel of Poole Funeral Home at three o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, June 21st, 2026 with Beverly Baker officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Liberty Hill Cemetery, Acworth, GA.

Serving as pallbearers are Ben Baker, James McDaniel, Marcus Teran, Collin Teran, Nicolas Saavedra, Sr. and Bob Gilchrist.

Friends are cordially invited to a gathering with the family for two hours prior to service time at Poole Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bonnie’s honor to Georgia State Society of the Daughters of the American Colonist at 130 Deep Springs Way, Covington, GA 30016-8813.

Poole Funeral Home, 1970 Eagle Dr., Woodstock, GA 30189, is honored to serve Mrs. Baker’s family during this difficult time.