Ila Jean Baxter

Ila Baxter passed away June 20, 2010 in Yreka, CA. Ila “Shilling” Baxter was born in Newell, West Virginia on January 26, 1928 to Degolian and Lila Shilling, the youngest of 5 children. Ila Jean graduated from Wells High Shool in 1946. Her goal was to join the Navy “Waves” as soon as she was 21. After graduation she worked for the general superintendent of Homer Laughlin China Co., Newell WV. On November 13, 1951 she enlisted in the Navy and was proud to be the Fifth Wave Company to graduate from Bainbridge, MD. She had several duty commands including Pearl Harbor, HI. She was a veteran of the Korean War working in intelligence for the Navy. She enjoyed competing in dance competitions to the original Big Band Orchestras and won several awards. She loved telling her stories of attending the 1952 Inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and attending the 1952 Army-Navy game in Philadelphia, PA and sharing her photos and souvenirs with her children and grandchildren. She married Jerald J. Baxter “JJ” in San Diego, CA in October of 1958 while Jerald was serving in the United States Navy as Chief Quartermaster. Jerald was a veteran of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam. They moved to the San Francisco Bay area in the 1960 where Jerald taught ROTC and Navigation at UC Berkley for 3 years. Jerald retired after 21 years in the Navy and relocated to Yreka, CA. in 1968. They enjoyed raising their children in the country on their ranch in Yreka and loved to spend time camping and fishing in the summer. Ila was involved with the Women’s Veterans and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always attended all of her grandchilden’s soccer games, regardless of the weather. You could always find her at Black Bear Diner on the weekends, enjoying her biscuits and gravy, visiting with everyone. All the workers knew her as Mrs. B! She considered them all her friends. She was preceded in death by her daughter Sandra in 2007 and by her loving husband Jerald in July 2008. She is survived by her son Mike Baxter and wife Ang of Yreka, CA, daughter Linda Baxter Swan and husband Bill of Yreka, CA, daughter Ginger Silva and husband Dan of Yreka, ,CA, and daughter Sheri Kanig and husband Jack of Eugene, OR. In addition she is survived by 5 grandchildren Keith Kanig and wife Kimberly, Holly Ford and husband Nate of Eugene, OR, Brittany Saul and husband Billy of Yreka, CA, Marissa Silva and Fianc Kyle Rizzardo of Yreka, CA, Heather Silva and her fianc Steven Embury of Yreka, CA. Ila was also survived by her 3 great grandchilden Klayton Rizzardo, Harley Ford, and Brayden Saul and by her nephew Richard Shilling and his wife Loretta in East Liverpool, OH and several cousins. No services are scheduled at this time. Girdner Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at girdnerfuneralchapel.com

Ila Jean Baxter

January 26, 1928 - June 20, 2010