George J. Bauer

George J. Bauer Battle Creek George J. "Papa" Bauer, 89, was welcomed into the gates of heaven and reunited with his wife, Dolly, late Saturday night, November 28, 2009. George was born in New York City and at age 17 enlisted in the military. His military career lasted 26 years and included postings to many places around the world such as Crete, Turkey, Alaska, Germany, and France. Out of all of his travels he always said that he enjoyed Crete the most. On May 13, 1944, George married Dorothy "Dolly" Dunn. They had been together for almost 65 years when Dolly passed in April, 2009, and George said that the time they spent together wasn't nearly long enough. George and Dolly had five sons; George, Jeff, James, John, and Ken. After George's retirement from the military, the family settled in Battle Creek where they had all been the happiest. There they were joined by George's nephew, Tom Mara, who lived with them during his high school and college years. While in Battle Creek, George began a second career driving tanker trucks for A.C. Carriers. George was a hard working perfectionist who had many talents and interests. He was a handyman, an artist, a landscaper and loved to golf. He was a great Papa who had a special place in his heart for his two granddaughters, Allie and Kelsey. Whether it was pushing his grandkids in the hammock, having cup-stacking races in the living room, or making the craziest faces just so that they would smile, he did whatever he could to make life a little more fun for them. George was preceded in death by his son, James. He is survived by his sons, his daughters-in-law, Val, Katerina, Midge, and Deb; his granddaughters, Allie and Kelsey; his nephews, Richie, Tom, Ken, Gary, Steve, Jimmy, John, Walter, Steve, Kevin, and Charlie; and his nieces, Eileen, Kelly, and Diane. George was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was loved very much and will be greatly missed. Family will receive friends from 5 until 7:00 p.m. today at Shaw Funeral Home. Services will take place 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at the funeral home with Rev. Fr. Craig Lusk, St. Joseph Catholic Church officiating. Interment, Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. Memorials may go to American Heart Association or Alzheimer's Association. The family is being served by Shaw Funeral Home. www.shawfuneralhome.com