Martha J. (Baker) West

Martha J. Baker-West, 101, of Bolingbrook, Illinois, formerly of Waggoner, passed away on May 9, 2023.

She was born in Waggoner, Illinois on October 22, 1921 to her parents Frank and Marion (Fleming) Baker.

Martha graduated from Waggoner High School in 1939 as Valedictorian of her class. During WWII, she worked at the Munition Plant in East Alton to support her two brothers and uncles that were fighting overseas. Later on, she and her husband Kenneth operated a small grocery store in Waggoner for 25 years. She was also a member of the Waggoner Christian Church and the Waggoner Legion Auxiliary – Eastern Star. Martha spent the rest of her years devoted to her church, her family, and her many friends, especially Junior and Freda Boston. She was an avid reader, soap opera fan, St. Louis Cardinals Baseball fan, and a Republican.

On May 22, 1943, Martha became a war bride as she went on to marry Sgt. Kenneth West at a USO Dance in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Together they raised two children, Linda and David. In October of 1984, Kenneth preceded her in death. Surviving is one son David (Nancy) West of Bolingbrook, IL; her grandsons Richard Drennan of Kentucky, Kirk (Dawn) West of Florida, Ryan (Kelly) West of Florida; great-grandchildren Thomas, Lyssa, Kai, Michael, and Caleb. Also surviving are Nancy’s three children Rickey, Sherri, and Venus, 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Martha’s brother Thomas Alexander (Pat) Baker, sister-in-law Doris Baker, and many nieces and nephews also survive.

Besides her husband and parents, Martha was preceded in death by her Daughter Linda Drennan, a Sister Mary E. Borden, and Brothers Hobart and Robert Baker.

Memorials in Martha’s honor may be directed to the Farmersville/Waggoner Ambulance.

Funeral services will be held at Hough Funeral Home in Raymond at 12:00 PM on Saturday, May 13, 2023. The visitation will be from 10:00 to 12:00 PM, with Pastor Paul Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Asbury Cemetery.

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