Albert Ellis Baker

Albert Ellis Baker of Bull Shoals, Arkansas passed away November 30, 2022, in Mountain Home, Arkansas at the age of 73. He was born March 1, 1949, in Wieser, Idaho, the son of George and Gladys Jones Baker. He married the love of his life Debra Nelson on November 8, 1975 and celebrated 47 years together this year. He retired after 30 years of service as a welder and inspector from Caterpillar in Montgomery, IL. He and his wife moved to Bull Shoals to live their dream of retiring for a life on the lake in 2011. Albert was a proud Veteran of the U.S. Army, and a lifetime member of the VFW. He loved and excelled in playing sports in school and was a founding member of Church of Christ in Ottawa. As a joyful member of the North Arkansas Woodcarvers Club, he had a vivid passion for woodworking. He could truly build anything with his hands and was a handy man of all sorts. He loved to teach others these skills, and gift others with his help and his masterpieces. He took great pride in building Deb the porch of her dreams and they enjoyed it together every day. He often told her there was no place he would rather be, than on the porch next to her.

Faith & family were his two greatest prides, and he never met a stranger. He was always active and serving his church and dedicated his life to all of those special to him. He would smile and speak to anyone in his path everywhere he went, determined to make a positive impact on everyone's day, no matter who they were. He treated everyone with kindness and compassion, and he always put everyone else before himself.

Albert is survived by his wife, Debra and their children, Kayla (Tony) Bockelman of Grand Ridge, IL; Kari (Dana) Jennings of Ottawa, IL; Albert Baker II of Bull Shoals, AR; and son by choice Ben (Tara) Bodine of Marseilles, IL. His grandchildren, Joe, Heather, Jordan, Thomas, Albert III, Logan, Isaac and Taylor; great-granddaughter, Cecelia. Sisters, Lorraine (Ken) Douvia, Becky Tinkham, Edna Hicks, of Mountain Home, AR; brothers, Clint Stanford of Sheridan, IL and Clay Stanford of Streator, IL. Also survived by his extended family Howard Tuttle of Oglesby, IL; William Beers, Donnie (Kim) Schmitt, and Penny & his Buddy Jesse Schmitt, all of Ottawa, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Al. In addition, brothers by choice, Tony DeLargza and Mike Carey as well his baby boy, Max, his long-haired, cookie sharing dachshund.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings, Jessie, Lynn & Cecil Ray; Deb's parents, Donald and Kay Schmitt, and extended family Randall & Colleen Hoar, Tressa Beers; Don Tinkham and Ron Hicks.

A visitation will be at Gladfelter-Roetker funeral home in Ottawa, IL on Saturday December 10th, from 11am to 1 pm. Which will be followed by a memorial service beginning at 1:00 p.m., with Military Honors by the Ottawa American Legion Honor Guard. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date in Bull Shoals. Future burial will be in the Oakwood Memorial Park in Ottawa.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

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