Jesse Boone Baber, Jr., 92, of O’Fallon, formerly of Mexico, passed away on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at Park Place Senior Living in O’Fallon.
Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, at Arnold Funeral Home in Mexico with Rev. Eric Mattson officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Callaway Memorial Gardens in Fulton.
Visitation is Monday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the funeral home.
Jesse was born on June 4, 1928 in Fulton, the son of Jesse B. and Edythe V. (Berry) Baber, Sr. On Aug. 21, 1955 in Williamsburg, he married Leota M. Austin.
Jesse attended Flint School in Hatton and graduated from Fulton High School in 1947. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950-52 in the Korean War as a combat engineer staff sergeant in the 2nd Infantry, 6th Armored Division.
Mr. Baber was a co-owner of Modern Farm Equipment in Fulton from 1956-63. He then worked for Federated Insurance Company until 1969, when he began with Deutz Tractor Corporation in O’Fallon. Jesse then worked for C.B. Baber and Associates Real Estate in Columbia from 1990-2000.
Jesse was a member of the Mexico United Methodist Church, where he served on the church board. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Mexico Housing Authority Board, AARP and Mexico Habitat for Humanity.
Mr. Baber enjoyed traveling with his wife to many destinations, including Germany, Alaska and the Caribbean. He also enjoyed aircrafts, especially flying. Engines and all things mechanical were also lifelong interests. Mr. Baber also had a love for St. Louis Cardinals baseball.
Survivors include his wife, Leota Baber of O’Fallon; one son, Gregory (wife Sandra) Baber of Lake St. Louis; one daughter, Elaine (husband Kent) Glovanovitz of Fenton; and three grandchildren, Amanda Baber of Wentzville, Matthew (wife Monica) Baber of Maryland Heights, and Evan Glovanovitz of Fenton.
Jesse was preceded in death by one sister, Jan Nesheim; one half-sister, Nadine Kruel; and one half-brother, Charles Baber.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Mexico United Methodist Church. They may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson, Mexico, MO 65265.
Online condolences may be left at www.arnoldfh.com.
