Bonnie D Baker

Bonnie was born to the late Harry and Emma Dietz in Cookeville, TN July 29, 1927, and was the only girl among eight brothers. Bonnie developed an interest in science and math at an early age and went on to graduate with honors from Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (now Tennessee Technological University) with a degree in chemistry and micro-biology in 1951. While at Tech, she was listed in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.

After graduation, Bonnie moved to Dayton, Ohio and married the late Hollis Baker. She put her degree to work at the Dayton Public Health Department where she worked as a scientist in the testing laboratories. Bonnie continued in that position when Dayton consolidated with Montgomery County in the combined Dayton-Montgomery County Public Health Department until her retirement.

Bonnie truly loved to travel visiting 39 foreign countries during her life and was looking forward to visiting her 40th this year. She especially loved to visit the battlefields of World War II where her brothers served.

Developing a keen interest in her family’s roots, Bonnie got a degree in genealogy from Brigham Young University and was able to trace the Dietz family heritage to Germany in the 1400’s. She could recall family history off the top of her head and spent many hours entertaining family members with that vast knowledge. Bonnie often said "I've been studying these relatives so long when I get to heaven I'm going to have so many questions for them!"

Bonnie had a great love for many things in life. She was a longtime volunteer at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, loved Georgia O’Keefe artwork (especially her poppies), was a longtime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Daughters of the Confederacy and was a beloved member of the Friendship Circle in Dayton.

In addition to her parents, Bonnie was preceded in death by her husband Hollis and six brothers. She is survived by daughter Carla Baker, Dayton, two brothers Eugene Dietz (Emogene) Nashville, TN and Lex Dietz Cookeville, TN, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and a great-great nephew. She is also survived by her two closest friends Janet Sabastian and Dolly Bernhardt who not only shared her love of life with her, but have provided great assistance to her and her family.

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 20 at 10 a.m. at Tobias Funeral Home, Belmont Chapel in Dayton with burial following in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Hollis Baker.