GAYNELL HURLEY BAKER, age 74, a resident of Bertrand died Saturday, December 21, 2013 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

She was born on March 25, 1939 in Charleston to the late Ernest and Gladys Spicer Hurley.
She moved to Grand Rapids, MI in 1952 and to Phoenix, AZ in 1987, returning to southeast Missouri in 1990. In 1994 she and her husband opened and operated Baker's Restaurant in Bertrand. They retired in 2004 to pursue her favorite pastime of spending time visiting with family and friends.

In March 1959 while living in Grand Rapids, MI she met James L. Baker, a southern man from Arkansas, who became her husband on November 7, 1959. He survives of the home in Bertrand.

Also surviving are one son and daughter in law, James Michael and Sara Baker of Buckeye, AZ; one daughter and son in law, Brenda and Mike Essenburg of Grand Haven, MI; one brother, Gene (Marge) Hurley of Phoenix, AZ; four sisters, Evelyn Stricker and Sherry (Tony) Ausbrooks all of Sikeston; LaDonna Williams of Wayland, MI, and Daisy (Jack) Fuller of Bertrand; five grandchildren, James N. Baker, Johnathan Baker, Chad Hamilton, Eric Essenburg, and Ryan Essenburg; and one great grandson soon to be born, James Ryan Baker.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Wanda Pullen, Pauletta Hooper, and Helen Miller.

Visitation will be held at the McMikle Funeral Home on Thursday, December 26, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and again on Friday, December 27, 2013, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be conducted in the McMikle Chapel at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2013 with Rev. Tom Bridges of Bertrand officiating.

Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be James Michael Baker, James N. Baker, Johnathan Baker, Chad Hamilton, Eric Essenburg, Ryan Essenburg, and Joe Hurley.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society, 1306 State Street, Charleston, MO 63834.