Bryce Baker

With peace and trust in his Heavenly Father, Bryce Oliver Baker left his earthly life at Village on the Ridge, on November 11, 2025 at the age of 91 years. Predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Betty Lou (Sloan) in 2020. He was a proud father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Bryce will be deeply missed by his children Susan (Tom) Hebblethwaite, Brent (Agnes) Baker, Cheryl (Bruce) Ross and Bradley Baker. He was loved by his twelve grandchildren, Tammy, Amanda, Lauren (Devon) Taylor and Matthew (Christianne) Hebblethwaite, Kyle (Alicia) and Kelsie (Matt) Baker, Nicholas (Clara) Van Dyk, Carmen (Matthew) Cox and Hannah Ross and Scott, Stephanie and Laura (Stan) Baker and his 11 great grandchildren.

Bryce was the son of Charles and Ruby (Towl) Baker who owned a farm in Raleigh Township. He is survived by his sister Lorraine (Ray) Dhaen, his brother David (Susan) Baker and sister-in-law Shirley Baker. He was predeceased by four brothers and one sister, Gordon (Donna) Baker, Shirley (Tom) Jensen, George (Marilyn) Baker, Wayne Baker and Irvine Baker. Also survived by members of Betty Lou’s family, in-laws Bonnie Sloan, Barbara Donnelly, Norine (Allen) Duck and Lyle (Pat) Sloan. Predeceased by in-laws Ralph Sloan, Jim Donnelly and Gordon Sloan.

Bryce worked several jobs as a young adult, including at the Co-op in Chatham and he studied how to repair tube televisions. He owned his own Sunoco Gas Station (Baker Sunoco)on Grand Avenue in Chatham. Then, in 1965, he and Betty Lou made the courageous move to open Baker Farm Equipment in Ridgetown, where they worked together for many years. They relocated with their family to a new home on the shores of Lake Erie, the first of three homes by the lake. After Bryce sold his business in Charing Cross, which he opened in 1969, he and Betty Lou moved to Blenheim and he used his lifelong love of driving for many years including for Blenheim Bus Lines and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Bryce was a long-standing member of New Scotland United Church where he guided many young people in their faith as a SundaySchool teacher, served on the session and sang in the choir until 2018. He bowled in a league with his brothers at Sunset Lanes and sang with many Baker-family relatives in the Chatham Cultural Centre Chorale.

Bryce and Betty Lou beautified every home that they lived in with colourful flowers and designs. They shared their love of God’s beautiful world with friends and family. They passed this love onto their children, who now in turn, pass this love on to their own children and the story continues.

Bryce looked forward to rejoining the love of his life, Betty Lou, and we can only imagine them holding hands while walking through gardens once again and singing in the heavenly choir.

Our family is truly thankful to the staff at Village on the Ridge and in particular the nursing team in Assisted Living for their love and support of Dad as he transitioned from independent living to the care he needed over the past year. ‘Dr. Rachel’ Simmons provided medical care to Mom and Dad throughout their senior years and we are grateful.

Donations in memory of Bryce can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society https://cancer.ca/en/ways-to-give/personal-donation or the Salvation Army Food Bank, Blenheim https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/66335 through the Blenheim Community Funeral Home.