Thelma Laurabelle (Wiggins) Baker, 93, of Tunnelton, passed away on Friday, February 13, 2026, in Indian Haven Personal Care Home.
She was born in Parkwood on November 13, 1932, to the late Thomas Walker “TW”, and Laura Viola (Peddicord) Wiggins.
Surviving Thelma are her 3 children, daughter L. Nylene Stewart of Tunnelton, son Thomas Roy (Barbara A.) Baker of Indiana, son Donald A. Baker of McIntyre, 8 grandchildren: Jacob (Hillary) Baker, Rochelle “Shelly” (Jeremy) Stewart, Justin (Brianne) Baker, Donna (John) Fiorilli, Miranda (Kevin) Simmers, Benjamin Baker, Brady (Madeline) Baker, Miley Baker, 9 great grandchildren: Evelyn, Kaylee, Ivy, Kelsey, Ashlyn, Brooks, Walker, Briar, Laiken, and a sister Nancy LaMantia of Connecticut
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In addition to her parents, Thelma was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Roy Sylvester Baker whom passed on December 9, 2004, a grandson Donald Joseph Baker, and her brothers C. Paul, A. Walker “Jr”, James P., and R. Lisle Wiggins.
Thelma graduated from Indiana High School in 1951 and following graduation she worked at Federal Laboratories where she met her husband Roy and they were married on July 20, 1957. She then went on to spend her career as a “lunch lady”, starting at Elders Ridge Elementary and retiring from the Apollo-Ridge High School cafeteria in 2009. She was a member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church where she was also a member of the Presbyterian Women’s group, she was a lifetime member of the Tunnelton-Conemaugh Township Volunteer Fire Department serving in various capacities in 48 years of service, and a 7th Degree lifetime member of The Grange. In her earlier years, Thelma was a Den Mother and a Daisy Leader for summer camps. She enjoyed square and polka dancing, as well as listening to good old country music.
Friends and family are invited to the Bowser Minich Funeral Home, Indiana, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, and again on Thursday, February 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM until the time of service in the funeral home at 11:00 AM, with Dan Kunkleman officiating. Private interment will be in Edgewood Cemetery, Saltsburg.
