Jean Schutt Baker

ADRIAN- Jean Sheffield Schutt Baker, age 95 a resident of Adrian, MI, formerly of Black Mountain, NC and Sand Lake, Lenawee County, MI, passed away peacefully January 29, 2025, at the home of her daughter, Sarah Baker Korth. She was born to Idamary Sheffield Schutt and Frederick Tackels Schutt on October 19, 1929, in Mt. Clemens, MI. She lived there with her family until her parents divorced in 1943, and she and her mother moved to Ann Arbor, MI., where Jean attended University High School. When her mother remarried in March 1944 to Ragnar L Arnesen the family moved to Dearborn, MI where Jean attended Dearborn High School. In September 1945 the family moved back to Ann Arbor and Jean graduated from University High School, valedictorian of the Class of 1947. Jean earned her bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Michigan in 1951, a Regents Scholar for four years. She became a member of Delta Gamma Fraternity in her freshman year, serving as treasurer during her junior/senior year. Jean taught Social Studies and French one year at Birch Run High School before returning to the University of Michigan to complete a master’s degree in library science in August 1953. Jean married Gaylord Lane Baker of Adrian, MI on August 29, 1953, in Ann Arbor where they lived while Gay finished his last semester in the U of M Law School. During that time Jean worked as a Jr. Librarian in the U of M School of Music. In January 1954, Jean and Gay moved to Adrian, MI, where Gay joined his father Edwin L. Baker, JR and Lawrence J. Hammond in the practice of law as Baker, Hammond and Baker. Jean became the Director of the Lenawee County Library in Adrian. In February 1955, Jean retired and gave birth to the first of three children. She returned to the workforce in late 1974, as Public Services and Reference Librarian at Siena Heights College, now University. She remained Reference Libarian and Assistant Professor until 1995 when she retired with the title of Faculty Emerita, an honor granted to Jean by the Siena Heights College Board of Trustees. In 1997, on the retirement of Gay from the practice of law, he and Jean became permanent residents of Black Mountain, NC. Summers were spent at the family cottage on the south shore of Sand Lake near Onsted, MI. In 2012, after more than 50 years of ownership, they sold the cottage and became full-time residents of Black Mountain. Jean returned to Adrian as a full-time resident in 2021. Jean was a long-time member of the American Association of University Women, served more than a decade on the board of Community Concerts of Lenawee County, sixteen years as a trustee of the Lenawee County Library Board. In 2019, she was named to a newly formed ASO Honorary Board for service of more than ten years to the Adrian, MI Symphony Orchestra in the 1980s and 1990s. Jean is survived by her daughters, Sarah (Martin) Korth of Clinton, MI and Katherine Baker (Dean Crane) of Blacksburg, VA; seven grandchildren, Robert (Jessie) Baker, Laura Korth, Sean (Lindsey) Baker, Lauren (Sean) Oakes, Kenna (John) Jewell, Emily (Wesley) Knowles-Crane and Paige (Julia Carlson) Crane; five great grandchildren, Asher and Hudson Baker, Caroline Jewell, Michael Oakes and AJ Baker. She is also survived by her nephew, Bradford (Mary Starek) Blakeley, sister Ingrid (Donald) Graham and brother Erik (Kate) Arnesen, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gaylord Baker; son, Michael Baker; parents and stepfather; sister, Alice Louise (Glenn) Anderson; a granddaughter, Rachael Korth; brothers Ragnar L. Arnesen, Jr. and Richard H. Arnesen, and sister, Kristin A. Reid. Following Jean’s wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no services at this time. Jean’s daughters will host a gathering this summer to celebrate her life. If you wish to make a memorial, please consider White Horse, Black Mountain, NC, Amici Music, Asheville, NC; the Black Mountain (NC) Public Library (hard-cover book fund for mysteries); the Lenawee County District Library or to the entity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagley Funeral Home, Adrian, where online condolences and memories may be shared at www.WagleyFuneralHomes.com.

Jean Schutt Baker

October 19, 1929 - January 29, 2025