Rita M. Baker

Rita M. Baker, 82, of Dover died Monday, May 2, 2016 in the Summa Select Specialty Hospital at Akron.

Born March 12, 1934 in Dover she was the daughter of the late Henry and Marjorie Cox Stein. Rita was also preceded in death by her husband, Ernest "Ike" Baker on January 24, 2015; step father, Norman Johnson; brothers in law, Roland "Baldy" Baker, Arthur "Pete" Mushrush, Kenny Baker and nephew, Roland James "Baldy" Baker Jr.

Rita started her working career out of high school with the General Telephone Co. in Dover. She quit for a time while her children were growing up, and eventually retired from the pre-school at St. Johns United Church of Christ of Dover. She was a member of St. Johns and the Sarah Circle. Rita loved taking family vacations and spending time with her grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoyed flower gardening and reading.

A wonderful and loving mother and grandmother, Rita will be sadly missed by her children, Steven Paul (Susan) Baker of Hudson and Mary Jo (Tom) Fahrni of Canton; four grandchildren, Lindsay, Zachary "Zach", Andrew "Drew" Baker all of Hudson and Nicole Fahrni of Canton; sisters in law, Evelyn Mushrush, Gladys Baker; many nieces, nephews, cousins and her dog, Johnny.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 7 at 11:00 am in the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover with Rev. Thomas Dunkle officiating. Interment will be at the Dover Burial Park. Following the committal service, a luncheon will be held at the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center. Friends can call at the funeral home on Friday from 5-7 pm. Those wishing to express their fondest memories of Rita may do so by visiting the online obituaries and flowers link on the funeral homes website.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Stained Glass Window Fund at St. Johns United Church of Christ, 409 North Wooster Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622.