Nancy S. Baker

A Celebration of Life service for Nancy S. Baker, 80, of Newark, OH, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home, with Pastor Wes Humble officiating. Family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service on Wednesday at the funeral home, 985 N. 21st St. Newark, OH. Private inurnment will take place at Welsh Hills Cemetery in Granville.

Nancy was born December 25, 1944, in Dayton, OH, to the late Roscoe and Mildred (Walker) Schmalenberger. She passed away November 5, 2025, at her residence. Nancy was a dedicated educator, a fierce advocate for those in need and an enthusiastic community member. She brought humor to every party and had a very colorful vocabulary. She will always be remembered for the joy she brought to the Christmas Sing and Eggnog Party. Her commitment to family, friends and those she loved was unwavering. She loved birds, nature, and was always the first in line at the dessert table. She was the light of many lives and that light will continue to shine through all of us.

She is survived by her daughters, Bethany B. (Klaus) Krajewski of Granville, OH and Rebekkah E. (Maggie Margulies) Berryhill of Kent, OH; siblings, Larry (Carol) Schmalenberger, Susan (Michael) Smith, Patrick (Marcia) Schmalenberger, and David Schmalenberger; grandchildren, Madeline (Parker) Siegfried, Zachary Vanderink, Simon Krajewski, and Oliver Krajewski, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth W. Baker; sister, Judith Roberts, and brothers, Daniel, Kevin, Michael, and Nicholas Schmalenberger.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to National Public Radio (NPR).

To sign an online guest book, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com.