Obituaries are courtesy of Mueller-Bies Funeral Homes, located at 2130 N. Dale St., Roseville, Minn.

William D. Baker (1935-2026)

William Dickinson “Bill” Baker of St. Paul, Minn. passed away on Saturday. He was 90.

Born in Winchester, Va., about a 90 minute drive from Washington, D.C., Baker graduated from John Handley High School in 1953 and attended the University of Virginia before proudly serving his country in the United States Army. Much of his military service was spent in Orléans, France. Following his service, Baker completed his education at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va., where he earned a degree in history.

An early career position with 3M in the printing business brought him to St. Paul, but he spent much of his professional career with National Car Rental.

Baker was a lifelong historian and was deeply influenced by his family’s early American roots. He also enjoyed traveling, skiing and spending time with his family and dogs. Baker and his wife, Joan, were also avid Minnesota sports fans.

Baker was preceded in death by his brother William Woodhull Baker (Phyllis). He is survived by his wife, his son Daniel (Stephanie), his daughter Julie Rieth (Michael) and his grandsons Joshua and Jack Rieth. He is further survived by his sister Elizabeth Hopkins (Robert) and sisters-in-law Laurie Giff (Larry) and Linda Tierney (the late Gordon), along with numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Emmaus Lutheran Church, Concordia Academy, Disabled American Veterans Minnesota Foundation or American Heart Association.

Joseph Flaherty (1957-2026)

Joseph Brian Flaherty of St. Paul passed away on May 17. He was 69.

Flaherty was educated at Frank B. Kellogg High School, Century College, Hamline University and the St. Paul Police Academy, graduating on Halloween night in 1980.

Predeceased by infant son Joey Bryn, Flaherty is survived by his children Caitlin (Zack) and Aidan, step-daughter Megan (Trevor), grandsons Christopher, Wyatt and Timothy, former wife Eileen, sister Tara and brother-in-law Joe Guy, his brothers and sisters at SPPD and all the rest of the world who knew and loved him. 

John J. Mastel, Sr. (1937-2026)

John James Mastel, Sr. of Roseville passed away on Tuesday. He was 89.

Mastel was born in Trail City, S.D., the fourth of seven children to Peter and Frances Mastel. He graduated from Baker High School in Baker, Mont. in 1955, and upon graduation enrolled in a correspondence school for airline work until April, 1956, then went to Spokane, Wash. for completion. He moved to St. Paul the same year.

After battling intestinal illness, Mastel opened the Mastel’s Health Foods store in 1968. After he retired from day-to-day management of the store in 2000, he moved to his 8.5 acre hobby farm in Afton, Minn. to fuel another passion for growing fruit trees. He sold the farm after 55 years of ownership in 2023.

Mastel was preceded in death by his parents, his son Johnny Mastel Jr., sisters Eileen Tetu, Mary Ann Schmidt, Helen Rengel and Barbara Aras, and brother Adolph Mastel. He is survived by his sister Alvina Pheneger, brother-in-law Tom Aras and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts preferred to Union Gospel Mission (UGMTC) – Twin Cities.