Mary Baker Gruner, Galesburg Chapel
61, 1625 N. Broad Street, died very suddenly at home, Thursday, April 2, 2009. She was born March 27, 1948 in Western Springs, IL, the daughter of Marion and Woody Baker. In 1973 Mary married Ernest Gruner. He preceded her in death in 2003.
Surviving Mary is her daughter, Andrea Gruner Jennings, Reedville VA; her sisters: Rossann Baker-Priestley, Galesburg; Adele Davis and Dorothy Tressler, Western Springs, IL and two brothers: Richard and Hwa Baker, Henderson, NV, David and Barbara Baker, Avon; four nieces: Shari and Joe Robinson, Galesburg, Cynthia and Lorne Mann, Sandwich, IL, Linda and Brian Korbel, Addison, IL, and Michele Roberts, Las Vegas NV; five grandnieces: Katy and Megan Robinson, Galesburg, Madeline Wroczynski, Sandwich, IL, and Kerri Korbel, Addison, IL; and three grandnephews: Nicholas Robinson, Galesburg, and Benjamin Wroczynski and Thomas Mann, Sandwich, IL. Mary was preceded in death by her parents.
In 1974 Mary received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Roosevelt University. She also attended the Chicago Art Institute. She was a professional artist and owner of Pen and Inks Drawings, and a social science researcher for NORC at the University of Chicago and Research Triangle in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
Mary lived in Frankfurt Germany for two years where she worked for the Armed Forces Network. She also worked for the Palmer House Hotel and Heinold Commodities in Chicago. She and her husband Ernie lived in Avon, Western Springs, LaGrange and LaGrange Park, IL. After Ernie died, Mary moved down to Galesburg in 2004.
She was an avid gardener and an animal advocate with special concern extended to the Manatees, Elephants, Baby Seals, and the National Wildlife Federation
Mary was a member of the Universalist Church. Cremation was accorded. A Celebration of Mary's Life will begin at 6 PM, Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the home of her sister, Rossann Baker-Priestly, 1616 N. Broad St., Galesburg. Memorials may be made to Prairieland Animal Welfare Shelter, 1855 Windish Drive, Galesburg and the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.