Mitchell Baker, 77, of Wellston, Ohio, passed away peacefully, while surrounded by his family, on Wednesday evening, Nov. 29, 2017, at Jenkins Care Community in Wellston. He was born in Waco, Kentucky, on June 24, 1940, to the late Dewey and Nannie B. Cain Baker. He was a 1958 graduate of Madison Central High School and received a B.S. in business from Eastern Kentucky University.
He moved to Wellston in 1961 to begin his long and distinguished career at Wellston High School. The 1962 yearbook, the X-Ray, states that he taught typing, business mathematics, and geography. He later became the adviser for the X-Ray staff, along with adviser for the decorating of the Jr./Sr. Banquet and Prom. His love of the Broadway stage and musicals led him to become the class play director each year. He later received his Master’s Degree in guidance and counseling from Xavier University. He became the school guidance counselor, a position he held until his retirement on July 1, 2003. “Mitch” was always said to be the favorite teacher of so many Wellston High School graduates.
He is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Estelle Baker; a sister, Virginia Webb; and a sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Pascal Warmouth, all of Richmond; Three nieces, Fonda Fahringer (David), Regina Johnson (Gary), and Paula Pearson (Chris); great-nieces and nephews, Michael Fahringer (Kristi), Tiffany Fahringer, James Pearson, and Madeline Pearson; great-great-niece and nephew, Rylee and Carter Fahringer; and a host of special friends in Wellston.
The family invites friends to call at the Jenkins Funeral Chapel in Wellston on Saturday from 4 until 8 p.m. Services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Jenkins Chapel with John Pelletier CLP officiating. An additional visitation will be held on Tuesday from 11 a.m. until the time of services at 1 p.m. at Oldham, Roberts, and Powell Funeral Home, 1110 Barnes Mill Rd., Richmond, Kentucky. Burial will follow in the Flatwoods Cemetery at Waco.
The family politely requests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to the First Presbyterian Church of Wellston, 18 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Wellston, Ohio, 45692, or to the Sylvester Memorial Public Library, 135 E. 2nd St., Wellston, Ohio, 45692. Online condolences may be made at www.samjenkinsfuneralchapel.com