Sergeant Jessica Eve Baatz, 28, passed away on April 28th, 2022. Jessica was born on August 22, 1993 to Carl Baatz Sr. and Cindy Gee.

Jessica is survived by her parents, Carl Baatz Sr. and Cindy Gee; Siblings, Susan, Tina, Carl Jr. and Eric Baatz; aunts, Michaela Bellamy, Dawn Smith, Marlene Gruber, Linda Thomas, Tammy Johnson, and Susan Gee; nephews Angel and Javier Ayala and her niece Lilianna Ayala.

To know Jessica was to love her. Many people have described her as kind, loving, funny, free spirited, adventurous, and a light in the dark. All of these things are true and so much more. She was talented, artistic, driven, independent, silly, charismatic, gentle, strong and selfless. Make no mistake, she was a force to be reckoned with. Her strength in the face of adversity had no limit. There is no shortage of positive words that describe Jessica and who she was to all of us.

As a child Jessica would write her own songs and poems and would share them if she chose to. She would dance to her favorite songs and sing along as if no one was watching. Sometimes she’d even do dance battles or sing offs with her siblings, cousins, and friends. Not to mention burning her own CD’s so that she could blast her favorite songs in her room!

Moving into her teenage years you could count on Jessica making sure her bangs were swiped back and she had freshly sprayed Avon cucumber melon and wore the matching lotion. She would put her eyeliner on, shoes, and be ready to go for a walk any and everywhere. Whether it was to the store for a snack, across the bridge just to relax, or to Mr. Hero for a cheeseburger. She was always ready to enjoy each day with the people she loved.

Jessica courageously traveled from Lorain, OH and moved to Maine where she graduated from Bangor High School. She was nervous but ready to go somewhere new and to start paving her own path. She attended college there as well through Eastern Maine Community College and then proceeded to move to Missouri and continued to explore and learn herself there. She was not afraid to travel to wherever she felt like she could grow and learn. She was so eager to expand on her knowledge and explore her interests and she did not give up.

Sergeant Jessica joined the army and from there she was unstoppable. She never stopped trying to exceed expectations and meet her goals. During her time in the army she was stationed in Germany where she got to really tap into her adventurous side. Whether it was hiking, hanging out, or finding new places, she embraced her new surroundings there and blossomed.

Jessica was an inspiration to us all. From traveling, to taking on new challenges, and reaching for the stars, she showed us all how important it is to make the most out of each day that we are here.

Jessica will forever be in our hearts and on our minds. She was a person who is irreplaceable and truly unique. Being in her presence was a guarantee that you’d be laughing, goofing around, and having the best time. When you meet a person like Jessica, their absence becomes a hole that can never be filled. But how lucky are we to have known a person so special.

Our sweetest Jess, you are loved deeply and fully. You are missed every day. Until we see you again, may you have the most peaceful rest.