Barbara Baker

Barbara L. Baker, 82, passed away on August 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

A lifelong Carlyle, IL resident, Barb was born October 23, 1943, to Leo “Pug” and Ethel (Cameron) Hempen at their home. She is survived by her daughter, Tracy Harshaw of Carlyle; her granddaughter, Samantha (Alex) Gebke of Breese; and her great-grandchildren, Maxwell Alex and Adeline Ann Gebke of Breese. Additional survivors include her sisters: Bonnie Runner of Dunlap, TN; Donna (Jerry) Hampton of Greenville; and Kay (Larry) Hempen of Carlyle. Left to mourn her passing are nieces and nephews: Mark (Carla) Runner, Terri Runner Marlow, Dodi (Quinn) Netzel, Eric Hampton, and Stacie (Jason) Steinkamp. She is also survived by many cousins and great-nieces and great-nephews, but she shared a special bond with and held Jonah, Rhettick, and Landry Steinkamp especially close to her heart.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents and a brother-in-law, David Runner.

Barb graduated from Carlyle High School in 1961. She went to work for Wee Walker shoe factory in Carlyle and worked there throughout the life of the business. After Wee Walker closed, she took a position at Pulsar Plastics in Carlyle, and she continued to work there until her retirement in 2013. She cherished many friendships she made while working at the two businesses. Those friendships continued throughout the rest of her life.

Barb was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. Her love of the team was so serious that she named her daughter after two Cardinal players. In her younger days, she enjoyed going to dances, working her part time job as a bartender at Ray’s Flamingo Lounge (where she also formed many lasting friendships), and going to every Cardinals game she could with her sister and “the boys” (Pepp, Crash, Lar, and Kampy). As she got older, she enjoyed collecting Cardinal memorabilia, putting together Charles Wysocki puzzles, watching HGTV and NCIS, playing games on her iPad, and her monthly luncheons with her cousins. Her greatest joy, however, came from the time she spent with her family and those she loved and being called “Mammy” or “Mamms” by the people she most adored.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Carlyle Healthcare Center and Hospice of Southern Illinois who provided such loving care for Barb as her time on Earth drew to a close.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Zieren Funeral Home in Carlyle, with Rev. Josh Wolford officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 – 11:00 AM at Zieren Funeral Home.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Barb may be made to the wishes of the family and will be received through Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton St. Carlyle, IL 62231.