Stephanie N. Baker, age 26 of Toyohoshi Japan and formerly of South Bend, Indiana, died unexpectedly on December 6, 2011 at University Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from complications following transplant surgery in October. She was born on September 2, 1985 in South Bend, Indiana the daughter of Leo and Thelma (Pruett) Baker. Stephanie was an English teacher for the Toyohoshi, Japan school system, and was passionate about teaching in Japan. She attended grade school at St. Paul's Catholic School in Marion and was a 2005 graduate of The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas. Stephanie was baptized at St. Pius X Church in South Bend and completed confirmation at St. Simon & Jude Church in The Woodlands, Texas. She graduated from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio with a Bachelor's degree in East Asian Studies and a minor in Japanese Language. While in high school, she was a part of the Japanese Exchange Program abroad, the Japanese Club, and the St. Simon & Jude Youth Group. In her college years, she was on the President's List; a member of the East Asian Society; and studied abroad at the Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan during her Junior year. Stephanie was a Japanese culture enthusiast and truly loved teaching.

Survivors include: Parents – Leo and Thelma Baker of Denver, CO; Maternal Grandmother – Lilian Pruett of Willow Springs, MO; Paternal Grandfather – Leo S. Baker of Elwood; Aunts and Uncles – Lance (Norma) Baker of Elwood, Joe (Sue) Pruett of Mountain View, MO, and Alma Pruett of Cabool, MO; several beloved cousins including – Gail and Jerry Fletcher of Rochester, NY; and many more extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her Maternal Grandfather – Ernest Pruett; Paternal Grandmother –
Anna G. Baker; and Step-Grandmother – Barbara J. Baker.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood with Father Alejandro Paternoster officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Elwood. Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 PM Friday, December 9, 2011 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood. A Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 PM Friday evening at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to the St. Paul's Catholic School Fund – 1009 Kem Road, Marion, IN 46952.