Wanda Coleen Baker passed away peacefully at Salem Township Hospital on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Coleen was born on May 14, 1943, to Eugene and Naomi (Clark) Baker of Iuka, Illinois.
Coleen is survived by her daughter, Laura Dee Harvey (Aline Smith) of Lubbock, Texas, and her sister, Loretta Geotis (CJ) of Marathon, Florida. Also surviving are her nephew, Darren Clark (Tonya) of Clare, Michigan; three grandnephews, Andrew Clark (Consuelo), Benjamin Clark (Kayla), and Alex Clark (Aliyah); great-grandnephew, Cameron Clark; and great-grandniece, Hailey Clark, also of Clare, Michigan. Several surviving cousins include Pamela Sessions (Gary) of Xenia, Illinois.
Coleen was a member of Woodlawn Church in Iuka in her childhood. She graduated from Iuka Grade School and Salem Community High School in the Class of 1961. She worked in Salem at the Holiday Inn and the Elks Club for several years. She most recently worked at Salem Walmart for 28 years, retiring in 2018.
Coleen knew everyone in town, and everyone knew her. She made many friends throughout her lifetime. She loved to cook and socialize with her neighbors, friends, and former co-workers from Walmart. She was known to be feisty, funny, and fun to be around.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home. A time of visitation will be from 9:00 am until the time of service. Burial will follow at the Iuka Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Holiday Inn conference room in Salem from 1:30-4:30 pm. Friends may send flowers or a donation. Donations may be made to Mission Salem or Iuka Cemetery and will be accepted at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Sutherland-Rankin Facebook page.
