Elizabeth “Ann” Baldridge Tanner, age 68 of Salem, passed into the arms of Jesus on January 15, 2023, at Twin Willows Nursing Center in Salem with her family by her side.
Ann was born in Salem on February 15, 1954, to parents Robert Ray and Patricia Louise Baldridge. She graduated from Salem Community High School in 1972. She attended Lincoln Christian College for one semester before meeting a hunk with a mustache that swept her off her feet at Sweeney’s Drug Store in 1973. She and John Christopher Tanner married on September 7th, 1974 at the First Christian Church in Salem, IL. After testing their parenting skills on Fred, the dachshund, for a few years, they had 3 Children: John Christopher Jr and Andrea Lynn (Fisher) Tanner, Georgetown, IN, Daughter Jessica Rae (Tanner) Pommert and husband Andrew Jonathan, Joplin, MO, and one child waiting in Heaven. Her joy was made complete by her grandchildren Noah Gage, Micah Ray, Grace Annilea Tanner, Diana Rae, Claire Reneé, and Rebekah Lynn Pommert as well as several foster grandchildren.
Ann loved children, spending the bulk of her career, more than 30 years, working with children in Salem Schools as a paraprofessional. Ann was deeply involved in her church, serving the toddler ministry at First Christian Church, Salem, for more than 30 years.
Ann was a parent and grandparent to every child who was in her life or had a need.
She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and brothers Lorin Douglas and Lori Denise (Young) Baldridge, Green Cove Springs, Florida. Michael Ray and LuAnn (Murray) Baldridge, Patoka, Illinois as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Funeral services for Elizabeth “Ann” Tanner will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Noon at the First Christian Church in Salem with her son Christopher Tanner Jr. officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the East Lawn Cemetery in Salem. There will be a visitation at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In Lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Life Water International (www.lifewater.org) in her memory and will be received at the church or at Crouse Funeral Home which is assisting the family with arrangements
