Frances Dorene (Dickerson) Baldridge

FRANCES DORENE “DOE” BALDRIDGE

Dorene Baldridge, nee’ Dickerson, age 93, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2025.

She was born in rural Illinois to Estel and Dora Dickerson. Her father was a farmer and her mother was a homemaker. As a child, she attended a one-room schoolhouse. Electricity was just beginning to be commonplace and her house was the last in the area to receive it because Grandma Dickerson didn't trust it.

When she was 22, she married Robert J. Baldridge of Springfield, Illinois. When she was 24, they had one daughter, Cynthia. Because of his job, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, then lived in Parma and eventually Strongsville. Upon Robert’s death, they were married for 37 wonderful years. Several years later, she became perpetually engaged to Henry Klink of Berea, whom she affectionately referred to as Special K. They were a fun and active couple, especially enjoying musical concerts and being groupies of various polka bands. Upon her death, she had at least 30 pairs of sparkly dancing shoes.

When her health began to fail, she lived at Plum Creek Assisted Living Facility in Brunswick, where she received excellent care. A special thank you to Nurse Anna, who was her staunch advocate.

Then Traditions Hospice stepped in to supplement her care and were truly angels in helping her transition.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Baldridge; sister, Gwendolyn Abell; fiancé, Henry Klink; son-in-law, Ted Garduque; and beloved Charlie-Cat.

She is survived by daughter, Cyndy Garduque of Honolulu; niece, Dorene (Terry) Campbell, also known as Weena; second nieces Buffy Cronin and Prairie Eigenmann, all of Illinois; the Klink Family; the Cozad Hallmark ladies; and many other friends.

She was loved.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service at 12 Noon, Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Bauer Funeral Home, 2089 Columbia Road  Valley City, with interment to follow at Strongsville Cemetery.

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