Mardelle Leslie Baker

Mardelle Leslie Baker died peacefully and surrounded by family at her home on December 28,

2025. Mardelle was born on June 30, 1927 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and was the youngest of
seven children born to Thomas M. Leslie and Mathilda O. Dudek. Those who knew Mardelle
will remember her by her love, kindness, generosity, strong faith, and sense of humor.

After graduating from Southmont High School in Johnstown, PA, Mardelle became the first in
her family to attend college. With a desire to become a school teacher, Mardelle enrolled at
Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio, in 1946. On August 27, 1949, she married Peter B. Baker,
Jr. and shared 29 years with him until his passing in 1978.

Before putting her BA in Education to use, she served as an employee of the Kilgore
Manufacturing Company often packing explosive fuses and later became a proofreader for the
Westerville Press Inc. Mardelle began a teaching career of 25 years in the Westerville City
School District in 1967 where she taught mostly 4th grade at Whittier, Longfellow, and Emerson
elementary schools. She received her Masters in Education in 1987 from Ashland University.

A devout Christian, Mardelle belonged to the Church of the Master EUB (now Methodist) for
nearly 80 years. Here, she served as a Stephens Minister, sang in the Chancel choir for 50 years,
and ministered to and became friends with many shut-ins through outreach.

After retiring in 1992, Mardelle focused on her family, volunteering, and giving back to the
community. Some of her volunteering endeavors included ushering for CAPA at the Ohio
Theatre in Columbus, serving as president of the Hanby Music Club, and participating in
organizations such as the Otterbein Womens Thrift Shop, Hanby House Museum, Westerville
Historical Society, and making frequent donations to Citizens for Humane Action.

Mardelle was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Anna Mae (Harry) Williams,
Marion Brydon, and Katherine Leslie, each of Johnstown, PA; three brothers, Ira (Romayne) of
Homer City, PA, Tom (Dorothy) of Johnstown, PA, and Walt (Gerry) of Pittsburgh, PA; her
husband Peter B. Baker Jr., and grandson, Andy (Jen) Baker of Westerville, Ohio.

Mardelle is survived by her three sons, Pete (Sybil) of Columbus, Ohio, Fred (Nancy), Cory
(Laurie), of Westerville, Ohio; grandchildren Caley (Bob), and Nathan (Lindsay) of Westerville,
Ohio, Alex (Devon), Gabi (Tony), of Columbus, Ohio, Beth (Gail) of Eugene, Oregon, and Hal
(Ashley) of Denver, Colorado; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Master in Westerville on January 30, 2026
at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church of the Master, or to the dog
rescue organization speakfortheunspoken.com.