Dianne Baker

Dianne G. Baker was a bright, caring woman who took great joy in her family and friends. She concerned herself with people, and their happiness made her happy. In business and every day life, Dianne was diligent and honest. She truly made life sweet for those around her. Dianne was born during a period of optimism in America, when the country was recovering from WWII. Growth in industry and jobs gave workers the opportunity to build homes and start families that launched the baby boom era. The family of Howard and Ruth (Hittle) Judd and their three children couldnt be happier than to welcome a little girl into their lives on August 23, 1948. Dianne was born at home in Nunica, Michigan, and later two more children completed the family of four boys and two girls. Dianne learned the value of hard work by helping in the family business. Diannes parents owned and operated a blueberry farm in Nunica called The Shack. Everyone pitched in to make it a success, and Dianne gained the reputation of being an exceptionally fast picker. Dianne was very responsible person, throughout her childhood and as a young woman. She took it upon herself to care for her siblings and, at an early age, learned to cook and sew. Her elementary school years were spent in Nunica and Coopersville, and when her family later moved to Muskegon, she finished her schooling at Muskegon High School. That turned out to be a fortuitous move because Dianne met her future husband there. She and Richard Baker became high school sweethearts, and a year after she graduated in 1966, they decided to get married. Dianne and Richard made their vows on February 3, 1967, but their lives were soon interrupted by war. Richard was serving in the military in Viet Nam when their son Timothy was born 1968. Gratefully, they were rejoined as a family by the time their daughter Andrea was born in 1971. When the Bakers moved to Cloverville in east Muskegon (Sullivan Township), the house became the family home. It was a delightful place where Dianne could lavish neighbors with her hospitality, especially from the bounty of her awesome vegetable garden. With a swimming pool, trampoline and more, the home was a veritable resort that family and friends enjoyed for years to come. Many fun weekends were also spent at the family cabin in Luther, Michigan with their toys (dune buggies and three-wheelers). Diannne especially enjoyed laying in the sun chatting with family and friends solving the world's problems. For a number of years, Dianne drove school bus for Fruitport and Mona Shores schools. Then in 1997, she opened a store in Grand Rapids, Michigan called More Space Place. It combined her eye for home design with her strong work ethic and ample social skills. For a woman who loved household gadgets, Dianne made the More Space Place the perfect place. Being a social person, Dianne made friends in many places. She was a member of Muskegon Heights Eagles Auxiliary and Beta Sigma Phi in Muskegon and Grand Rapids. Dianne just liked being around people and the feeling was mutual. Dianne had a wonderful life that was shaken by the death of her husband Richard in November of 2001. But in 2003, she was blessed to meet James Pawlak. They first met when she came to his warehouse to purchase lighting materials for her store. However, their next meeting was maneuvered. James had held back some material from her so that he could make a visit to her store. From then, they started dating and their relationship continued to grow over the special times they spent together and with their families. A true test of family compatibility came when Diannes kids presented her with a Shetland puppy they named Murphy. James was absolutely opposed to keeping the dog, but Dianne felt she could not refuse her childrens gift. In the end, Murphy won them over because he turned out to be the most perfect pet possible: loveable and self-trained in his duties. Holidays and family outings were great times for Dianne and James, made all the more fun by the toys he had for the kids and beer for the adults. As always on special occasions, Dianne prepared more than enough food from her huge storehouse of an overstocked refrigerator/freezer. In 2004, Dianne moved to Grand Rapids, and she and James recently bought a cottage in the Walkerville area. She was living with cancer when they were married on Thursday, November 22, 2007. Dianne died Monday, November 26, 2007. Dianne lived her life of 59 years with sincerity and joy. There was nothing she liked more than helping other people, and it showed in the way she lived each day. She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all who loved her dearly. Mrs. Dianne G. Baker is survived by her husband, James Pawlak; mother, Ruth Chittenden of New Era; 1 son, Timothy (Sharlette) Baker of Muskegon; 1 daughter, Andrea (John) Jonaitis of Muskegon; 1 step-daughter, Leigh Ann (Dieter) Panzer of Grand Rapids; 7 grandchildren, Aren Baker, Derek Baker, Holy Baker, Cody Jonaitis, Morgan Jonaitis, Alexis Panzer and Elizabeth Panzer; 1 sister, Lila (James) Boney; 4 brothers, Howard (Donna) Judd, Robert Judd, David Judd and Harold Judd. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Baker. A service to celebrate Diannes life will be held on Friday, November 30, 2007, 1:00 PM at the Clock Chapel with Chaplain Greg Mutch officiating. Friends and relatives may meet the family on Thursday, 4-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory, sign the online guest book, or make a contribution to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.