Frank S. Bauer

In Loving Memory of Frank Stanley Bauer

Frank Stanley Bauer, 81, of Marysville, Ohio passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

Known for his orneriness and love of sports, Frank lived a life that was a true testament to his love for the Lord. He also demonstrated dedication, loyalty, and love for his family and friends. Frank was a Buckeye fan his whole life, often donning his Ohio State gear and cheering on his beloved team. He also loved the New York Yankees. Frank would often be seen wearing one of his many American flag t-shirts, and when he dressed up, he would have on his U.S. flag lapel pin. Frank always made it a point to listen to the National Anthem before sports events, whether in person or on television. He flew his American flag every day and kept it illuminated at night. The Fourth of July, Veterans Day, and Christmas were his favorite holidays, and he loved his collection of over a dozen antique blow torches.

Frank met his beautiful wife, Karen, in high school during Frank's senior year through mutual friends. They were engaged in 1968 at St. James Catholic Church in Columbus, OH. He proposed to her as they knelt in prayer at the front of the church. They married on May 17, 1969 at Peace Lutheran Church in Gahanna, OH, and traveled to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon.

Frank was a 1963 graduate of Linden McKinley High School in Columbus, Ohio. In high school, he participated in football where he played center and linebacker. Frank's first love was baseball. He was a catcher and a co-captain, and he was named "All District" for Ohio his senior year. He had a batting average of .3570 and for the first fifteen games of his senior season, Frank did not have any passed balls charged to him. Frank worked at Hyde's Carry-out while in high school, and he was involved in several clubs.

Near the end of high school, Frank was being scouted by the minor leagues, and he had hopes of continuing his baseball career after graduation. Since there was a strong possibility of getting drafted into the service, he had to decline scouting offers and chose to work and enlist in the Navy instead. Frank began working at The Timken Company in Columbus, Ohio until the time he left for the Navy.

Frank spent two years active duty in the Navy from May of 1965 to May of 1967. He was stationed on the aircraft carrier, the USS Lake Champlain where he served as a signalman on the ship, watching for other ships at the topmost part. Frank often shared that his most exciting time in the Navy was being on the recovery crew of the Gemini 5 on August 29, 1965. His ship helped to locate the capsule in the Atlantic Ocean, along with the two astronauts who were on board. In late 1966, Frank switched ships and was deployed on the USS Shangri-La. In April of 1967, the Shangri-La visited the Mediterranean. They toured Italy and Istanbul, Turkey; Malta, in Southern Europe; and Barcelona, Spain; and Greece, among other places. Frank had earned the rank of a 3rd Class Petty Officer (E-4). He continued to serve in the Navy Reserves until the end of his Naval obligation in May of 1971.

Frank's 33+ year work career was at The Timken Company. Timken made roller bearings for autos, trains, and industry. Frank was a supervisor working in the screw machine department where he spent seventeen years working third shift and sixteen years working first and second shifts.

Outside of work when his children were young, Frank volunteered as a coach for his son's t-ball, little league football and baseball teams. He coached and played for The Timken Co. and The Elks adult softball teams, and this allowed him to continue his love of being on the ball field. He enjoyed taking care of his small garden and going on summer family vacations and weekend camping trips with his family. He was President of the Delaware (OH) Lions Club, a member of the Elks Club, a Boy Scout Leader, and he truly loved his time outdoors.

Upon his retirement from Timken on June 30, 1996, Frank and his wife moved to Florida where they spent the next twenty-six years. They owned two different homes while in Florida (in Ocala and Dunnellon). He enjoyed riding his bicycle, golfing, he frequented local car shows, watched all sorts of sports, played euchre with friends, and enjoyed swimming in their pool. They took day-trips and visited Disneyworld many times. He and his wife would make one to two trips a year back to Ohio to visit their family. Frank started a handyman business to utilize his skills and to assist others with all sorts of home maintenance needs, house watching services, and hurricane shutter installation.

In 2022, Frank and his wife moved back to Ohio to be closer to family. They were blessed to build one last home together, allowing more memories to be made with their children and grandchildren. One of the highlights in the last couple years was Frank participating in an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. in May of 2024. This emotional day with fellow comrades, remembering the fallen, sharing stories with other veterans, and touring D.C. was a day like no other. Upon his Honor Flight return to Columbus, Frank was overcome with emotion and tears as the veterans were greeted by hundreds of cheering family and friends, bag pipes, and so much love.

During their time in Florida, Frank and his wife attended Meadowbrook Church in Ocala. They were active in their Florida church participating in small groups and serving as greeters. They became members at Cypress Church in Marysville shortly after they moved back to Ohio. At Cypress, Frank and his wife served as greeters and were involved in a small group for couples. Although Frank was baptized as an infant, he felt led to be baptized as an adult. Frank was baptized on April 30, 2023 at Cypress, recommitting his life to Christ.

Years ago, when asked what his greatest accomplishment was, Frank shared that it was, "Staying married for so long. It's hard work, but it's great living day-to-day and seeing how your prayers are working. The good Lord gives us wisdom, and it's up to us to use that wisdom."

He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Karen (Sloan) Bauer; his daughter, Christina (Chad) Kesterson of Marysville; his son John (Shayne) Bauer of Marysville; his granddaughter, Micayla (Christian) Deardoff of Columbus; his grandson, Tyler (Maddy Headings, fiancé) Kesterson of Marysville; his granddaughter, Julia (Chase Agin, fiancé) Dickman of Westerville; his grandson, Jacob (Danielle) Dickman of Cincinnati; his great-grandson, Wesley Dickman of Cincinnati; his sister, Veronica (Keith Hastings, fiancé) Davis of Galloway; his brother-in-law, Bernie Looney of Reynoldsburg; his brother-in-law, William (Susan) Sloan of Wisconsin; 18 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews; and many special friends.

Frank was preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn (Pawlak) Bauer; his father, Alvin Bauer;

his brother, Louie (JoAnn) Bauer; his brother, Chuck (Carolyn) Bauer; his brother, Paul (Bunny) Bauer; his brother, Jimmy Bauer (who passed away at birth); his brother, Joe (Evarae) Bauer; and his sister, Theresa Looney.

The family will be honoring Frank with a Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Cypress Church Dublin Campus located at 7055 Avery Rd., Dublin, OH 43017. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11:30 AM, followed by a short celebration service from 11:30 to 12 PM. Military honors will also be provided by the local VFW during service time. Light refreshments and visiting with the family will then follow the service until 2 PM. All are welcome and we look forward to spending time with those who are able to attend. Help us honor Frank by wearing your favorite Ohio State gear or scarlet & grey to his celebration.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made to Care 360 Hospice by sending a check made payable to: Care 360 Hospice at 3455 Mill Run Drive, Suite 900, Hilliard, OH 43036, Memo: In memory of Frank Bauer OR you can donate online under the "Giving" option at https://www.care360hospice.com.

Ingram & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve Frank's family, and condolences may be expressed to them at www.IngramFuneralService.com.