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Josephine Ann “Jo Ann” Baker was born in St. Louis on August 16, 1938 a daughter to Joseph and Annalee (nee Hetzel) Brown.  She died at Mercy Hospital-Jefferson on March 14, 2025 at the age of 86.  She is survived by her children: Hart (Lillian) Vernon, Imperial, Keith (Nancy) Vernon, Imperial, Linda (Clay) Henry, De Soto, Ann Marie (Chris) Houska, Fenton, Dr. Stephan (Kim) Baker, Lt. Col. Ret., Wentzville, and Jerome “Dean” (Mary) Baker, Festus, 22 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, two sisters: Mary Stelmach, St. Louis and Linda (Bill) McGuire, St. Louis and a sister in law Diane Brown.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Calvin E. “Gene” Baker, two children: Karen McIntyre and Gary Baker, two sisters: Barbara Van Doren and Jacquelyn Howe; brother: Paul Brown and three brothers in law: Bruce Stelmach, Charlie Van Doren and Fred Howe.  Jo Ann had worked for the International Shoe Company, as a cafeteria worker for the De Soto School District and as a baby sitter.  She was a member of V.F.W. Post #1831 Women’s Auxiliary and a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues.  As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to De Soto Goes Pink, P.O. Box 68, De Soto, MO 63020.