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Celebration of Life: 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
Masonic Rites: 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home
Visitation: 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home
Denby Joe Baker, age 45 of Indianapolis, Indiana originally from Flora, Illinois passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving wife and friends on June 3, 2025.
Denby, or as everyone knew him, DJ, was born on May 21, 1980, in Olney, Illinois. He married Carla Matlock on June 6, 2020.
DJ worked at Citation Oil & Gas at the same field location for 20 years; owned by 4 different companies within that time frame. He resigned in May 2020 due to his condition worsening from Lou Gehrig's Disease / ALS. Denby was a Volunteer Fireman and First Responder for Clay City, Illinois for 10+ years. He took great pride in that, with being the people person he was and wanting to help others. He made his way onto the Clay City Fire District Board. He truly enjoyed serving the public and community. He was a Mason with the Anthony Doherty Lodge #1111 since September 2010.
If you knew DJ, you'd know he had a huge passion for muscle cars. Anything that had a motor and wheels, really. His knowledge about anything automotive was second to none. He always owned something that would do a burnout, and he was known for making clouds. He enjoyed attending Mecum Auctions. His immense knowledge about anything and everything was uncanny. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix. He was diagnosed with ALS on April 29, 2020, and it didn't slow him down any, even when he lost the use of his arms and hands. He had a gift for finding ANYTHING anybody needed or wanted.
Denby is survived by his wife Carla Mae of 5 years of Indianapolis; daughter, Takisha Baker of Kinmundy; step-daughter, Emily Campbell and husband Gregory Campbell of Pendleton; step-son Connor of Indianapolis; grandchildren, Kinsley Jo Weston, Kace Eugene Weston, Augustus Timmons Campbell, Alice Ophelia Campbell, Milena Harlow Campbell, Kallie Tulip Marie; father-in-law, Bud Matlock, mother, Rhonda Sullens; sister, Kia Baker Preceding him in death; father, Larry Joe Baker, grandfather, Johnnie Cox, and mother-in-law, Donna Matlock.
A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Bryce Henry officiating. Masonic rites will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. and the memorial visitation will be held from 12 noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to Rosie’s Southside Animal Shelter in Indianapolis, Indiana, and these will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
#ALSSUX
Sep 10, 1931 - Jul 9, 2025
Dec 12, 1954 - Jul 7, 2025
Jun 22, 1931 - Jun 30, 2025
Sep 12, 1933 - Jun 30, 2025
Oct 26, 1941 - Jun 22, 2025
Carla we are so sorry for your loss. He was a strong man & Loved you & his family. You are all in our thoughts & prayers. Know your Mom is waiting with open arms for DJ. God Bless & Keep you all. 🙏🏻🙏🏻💔
Denby you definitely are one the strongest and bravest men I know.. Will cherish our memories and will hold them close....Just promise to watch over us and especially Huntyr because I know you always enjoyed the pics..Love you cuz!!
Things may not have always been right , but I always cheered you on from the sidelines. You truly are a Warrior in my eyes Denby, you fought so hard, never complained and kept going. I will forever cherish the memories.. I love you to the moon and stars and above… May you finally rest in peace.
My condolences to the family 🙏
Prayers of comfort for the family. We don't always understand God's plan. May you find comfort in precious memories until you are reunited. Cheri
Dear Son, The day that I got to see you again when Carla brought you to your papa‘s funeral, I couldn’t keep my hands off of you nor could I stop watching you and looking at you because I had missed you so much. To know that we had put our past behind us and decided to go on and look at what was ahead of us, no matter what it consisted of may the day that was a bad day turned into something good. You are a very strong young man, some say I raised you in a harsh way. I don’t believe I did because I believe that’s where you got most of your strength and that was from me and the way that I did things. You fought ALS like a pro, and you did win because you are now with Dad, mom and all the others waiting on you when you got to heaven and I know that’s where you’re at. You live behind a wife that gave everything she had to take care of you and she had to give me a harsh talking to to get me to understand and see things for what they really were and I didn’t get mad. I was thankful because I needed that. Thank you, Carla. You also leave behind a daughter, grandchildren, and so very many friends, and a sister that loves you dearly. I pray that we all have the strength that you have shown us when it is our time, because God gave you more strength than he would’ve ever given anyone under some circumstances all we have to do is ask. I love you dearly. I always will. You will always be in my heart from the time you were born from the time I felt you in my stomach moving like a little bandit from the time you wanted your over laws to the time you wanted your cowboy boots to the first time you ever went fishing. Memories are something that no one can ever take away and I have many of those good and bad and I have taken responsibility for all of them. And I know that you must have believed that you would’ve never let me back into your life. Give your papa and your grandma and your dad hugs and kisses from all of us. I know you will be fishing in that crystal sea. Fly high love you, son …Ma
DJ, although I did not know you for very long, you had a beautiful impact on my life. You are kind, funny, and loving and I am privileged to have known you. May you fly with the angels. We are all a little safer knowing you are up there watching over us. God bless Carla and your family with strength and love.♥️♥️
Carla, when you and DJ came to pick up the vision activated computer, I knew it was going to two very special people. Sherry would have wanted that way. The only good thing about ALS, was that it gave me a chance to meet, although for a very short time, an amazing couple. I only wish that during Sherry‘s illness that we would have had friends like you and DJ. Please know, you and DJ have been in my thoughts ever since that day when we met.
I was saddened to hear about DJ's passing. I worked with DJ in the oilfield for several years and I always thought the world of him. He was always so kind to me. I really hate that he had to go through his last few years fighting this horrible disease. He was definitely blessed having Carla as his wife as she did an amazing job taking care of him. She is an amazing person. My deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers go out to DJ's wife, daughter, grandkids and all his family and friends. No more suffering for DJ. Rest in Peace my friend.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
Email: [email protected]
