Published on April 13, 2026 5:19 pm
Last Updated on April 13, 2026 5:26 pm
Michael Curtis “Mike” Baker died unexpectedly of natural causes on April 9, 2026 at his home in Sigel, IL.
Mike was born in Effingham on October 8, 1964 to J. Curtis and LoElla (Lankford) Baker.
Mike will be remembered by his family and friends for his infectious smile. Mike was fun-loving, warm-hearted, and a generous son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather and friend. He was always ready to help when his family or friends needed anything. Mike was honest to a fault and had a big soft spot for kids and dogs. He graduated from Effingham High School in the Class of 1983. Mike married Donez Ohnesorge in 1985 and they welcomed their son, Shelby Curtis and later divorced. He initially worked at Blue Beacon Truck Wash. Subsequently, he worked with his father Curt and several uncles in the family business, E.C. Baker & Sons Water Well Drilling and was a licensed water well driller. He also worked for Geothermal Drilling, a business started with his father Curt, later joined by his son Shelby, who worked for the company for several years.
As a boy, Mike rode his red stingray bicycle everywhere. He also rode BMX moto cross bicycles, flew model airplanes, and skateboarded. Mike thoroughly enjoyed listening to rock music especially Alice in Chains, Ted Nugent and Rush, and he attended numerous concerts with friends over the years. He liked spending summer weekends at Lake Shelbyville, taking trips to the Current River, and lately go-kart racing. Mike was also a licensed Pyrotechnician known for lighting up the sky on the Fourth of July.
Mike liked working on old cars and trucks, and was especially proud of a Ford truck he and Shelby restored together.
His greatest pride was his son Shelby and his granddaughter Kinzia. From day one of their lives, they were the apple of his eye.
Mike is survived by his son, Shelby Baker, daughter-in-law Nicole (Vansaghi) Baker, and granddaughter Kinzia Baker, all of Davis, IL; his parents Curt and LoElla Baker of Effingham, IL; his sister Scherry Baker-Tidstrom, brother-in-law Erik Tidstrom, and nephew Thor Tidstrom of DeForest, WI; Uncle Tom (Joan Davis) Baker; Uncle Arthur “Tuffy” (Ruth Fruchtl) Baker; Aunt Bonnie Baker; Aunt Carol (Shelly) Lankford; Aunt Vernabelle (Pagel) Lankford; many dear cousins from the Baker, Lankford, and Loy families; and special friends, Tim Lindsay, Kevin Bullard, Sean Wallace and their families.
Mike was preceded in death by his grandparents Earl C. and Hester (Wolf) Baker and Owen and Ena (Loy) Lankford; Uncles Earl Baker Jr, Paul Baker, Floyd Baker, Norman Baker, Vernon “Pete” Baker, Max Baker, Donald “Butch” Baker, LaVerl Lankford, Jerry Lankford, Franklin “Dee” Lankford, Lonnie Lankford, Fred Lankford; Aunts Sara Baker Carpenter, Loretta Baker Tegeler, Patricia Lankford Kittrell Brown, Kathy Lankford Huelsing; and dear cousins from the Baker, Lankford, and Loy families.
Swengel-O’Dell Funeral Home in Neoga is handing the funeral arrangements. Visitation will be April 18, 2026 at Centenary United Methodist Church, Effingham, Illinois from 9:00am to 12:00pm with Celebration of Life at 12pm. Lunch at the church will follow the service. Burial will be at a later date.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, any animal shelter, or a charity of your choice.