Steven D. Bauer

MARION: Steven D. Bauer, age 59, of Marion, went to be in God's care on Saturday evening, June 12, 2010, at the Marion General Hospital, due to complications from a fall he suffered several weeks ago.
On August 15, 1950, Steve was born in Grady Hospital in Delaware, Ohio, the son of Naomi (Mautz) Bauer Duprey of Marion and the late Frederick Bauer. He graduated from River Valley High School in the Class of 1968, where he was active in the FFA program and was honored to receive the State Farm Degree. Also, he enjoyed being involved in the 4H program.
While in school, Steve was introduced by a mutual friend with his wife to be, Jana Bowman. Shortly after his graduation and before hers they were married on August 1, 1969, in the Waldo Lutheran Church, where he had been a member. For over the next forty years, he would lovingly refer to Jana as "Mom".
Best known simply as "Bauer", he was a lifelong farmer and livestock producer who was proud to take over part of the farm that was originally his grandparents and had also been cared for by his parents. Also, for the past twenty-six years, he worked as a State Meat Inspector for the Ohio Department of Agriculture. In his younger days, he and Jana had also owned and operated Glenville Packing in Bucyrus for ten years. He was a member and past president of the Marion County Cattleman's Association.
Since the young age of 9, Bauer has been active in the Marion County Junior Fair, first showing his own livestock and then later mentoring other children with their own livestock. Many will best know him as the swine weigh master for the Marion County Junior Fair or for serving them a ribeye at the Cattleman's beef stand. He truly loved the entire process of raising livestock, and he enjoyed getting younger generations involved believing in the many lessons that are taught during the process. He would even go as far as helping children get their animals. He was a member of the Marion County Junior Fair Board.
A man of deep faith, Steve was a member of the Marion Salem United Methodist Church, where he was formerly a trustee.
After being blessed with grandchildren, Bauer was a changed man. He loved to attend all of their activities and be as much a part of their lives as he could. His favorite time of every week was on Sunday, when the entire family would gather for their "Sunday Dinner" and as you could expect, he made sure "no chicken" was served.
A large man with a large personality, Bauer always greeted his family and friends with his smile. Then after razzing you in his own sarcastic way, he would also greet you with a barrel full of laughter and whatever nickname he felt was most appropriate.
Steven will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Jana Bauer; two daughters, Amber (Robert) Sexton and their children, Carter and Zane; and Stephanie (James) Hawk, and their children, Taylor, Adam, Emma and Grace, all of Marion; his mother, Naomi Bauer Duprey; his mother-in-law, Vera Bowman, both of Marion; a brother, Bernard (Jill) Bauer of Crooksville; a sister, Brenda (Bill) Slaughterbeck of Marion; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bauer's family will greet friends from 4 - 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, 2010, at the Marion Salem United Methodist Church, 1640 Salem Rd., Caledonia. Services celebrating his life will be held there on Friday at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Jared Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Marion Salem United Methodist Church or to the Marion County Cattleman's Scholarship Fund, and they may be sent in care of the funeral home.
The Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve the family of Steven D. Bauer.
For those wishing to express their condolences online to Steven's family, you may do so by visiting: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.