Jera Lynann Baker

Of Pittsburgh, passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. Jera was born on February 3, 1985, in Danville, IL, to Derek and Tammy (Collom) Baker of Ridge Farm, IL. She moved to Pittsburgh in 2005 to be with her best friend and love of her life Joe who will miss her deeply.

Jera graduated from Georgetown Ridge Farm High School in 2003 then attended Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. She loved her family and did all she could for them. She had a joy for reading and collecting everything of her favorite characters Mickey Mouse and The Grinch. She loved scrapbooking and always had a family craft night when she came home to visit, along with her annual Black Friday shopping trip.

She loved to spend time with Joe traveling, doing DIY projects, going to Christmas festivals, Steelers games, watching Duke basketball, and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey. She loved seeing the lights of the big city of Pittsburgh, going on birthday trips with Quinleigh, and taking pictures of all her family and friends and the moments they shared.

Jera is survived by her husband Joe Hardiman; her mother Tammy; sister Kenna Baker of Ridge Farm, IL; brother Zaaron Baker (Caitlyn) of Ridge Farm; her mother- and father-in-law Joseph and Maryann Hardiman; sister-in-law Nicky Hardiman of Pittsburgh; her precious nieces Quinleigh Strawser, Kaelyn Miles, and Charlee Baker; her nephew and little buddy Asher Baker; her number one aunt Tara Hopkins (Eric) of Olney, IL, and Jennifer Baker of Georgetown, IL; uncles Raymond Collom of Ridge Farm, IL, Rick Krankavitch of Catlin, IL, Gary Smith of Ridge Farm, IL; many close cousins whom she loved dearly; and her childhood best friend Jessica (Hamrick) Davis.

She is preceded in death by her father, Derek; grandparents Max and Zealie Baker, Dale and Mary Lou Collom, Bill and Charlotte Mauro, Carl and Betty Starnes; uncles Kenneth Collom (Maxine) and Neil Baker; aunts Wendy Smith, Lori Blankenship (Ray), Mona Krankavitch, and cousin Maxa Bruce.

A celebration of Jera's life will be scheduled in the near future. Gifts in her memory may be given to her family here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jera-baker

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.