Glendona "Donna" Bauer

Donna Bauer, 86, of Bucyrus passed peacefully on Sunday, March 21, 2021 at home in presence of many who were near and dear to her heart. Her family is forever thankful to neighbors, friends and Ohio Health Hospice and Home Care for their love and support given to Donna during her illness.



She was delivered into this world at home in Jacksontown, Ohio on July 25, 1934, daughter of the late John “Andy” and Rev. Evelyn (Stotler) Beard. Donna became an entrepreneur at the early age of nine when her parents helped start her business, Donna’s Toy Box where she sold toys and souvenirs to travelers on Route 40. This business continued through her junior year of high school and the next year, in 1952, she graduated from Jacksontown High School.



In June of that year, Donna was hired by Ohio Power Co., working in the Buckeye Lake Office and by October was promoted to Chief Clerk Office Manager. This made her the first lady hired into a management position with Ohio Power. That office downsized to one person and she relocated to the Newark office where she became a receptionist and head of the cashiers. It was at this time she met and married Jimmy E. Bauer. From Newark, they moved to Bucyrus and Jim became the basketball coach at Holmes Liberty. This was the beginning of their love for the Bucyrus area. In 1965, they built their home and have loved being part of this community ever since.



Donna cared for her family as a homemaker but also worked at National Lime and Stone at the Spore Plant. Like Ohio Power, Donna became the first female hired into a management position with National Lime, serving as an Office Manager. In 2001, Donna formed the Bucyrus Tourism and Visitors Bureau and by the time she retired in 2013, the organization was going big time!



She had a passion for singing and music. She became the Chancelette Choir Director at Epworth UMC where she and Jim were members. She directed the Children’s Choir for 20 plus years, showing them God’s love and the fun of learning ‘What Would Jesus Do’ in any situation. Donna also taught the Young Adult Sunday School Class, was responsible for the Spring Luncheon and the project of baking valentine, pumpkin and Easter cookies, resulting in several hundred dozen cookies baked and sold during each holiday.



Donna was an avid fan of her children and grandchildren; following them in their different sports, music, or any other endeavors they chose. She cherished their company especially at Christmas time and whether they were guitar playing, fishing or boating on the lake, decorating things or sharing funny pet animal antics, she was all smiles. She and Jim have been blessed with many travels and much of this time was spent at their place at Lake Erie. She will certainly be remembered for her fried Lake Erie perch, cooked to perfection and served to Epworth Men’s Sunday School Class, Wynford basketball coaches and many others. Her other family favorites include ham loaf and spaghetti.



She was her family’s number one supporter and will be missed by Jim, her husband of 64 years, children, Jim Bauer, Rick (Jill) Bauer, Jerry (Rachel) Bauer and Tamara Bauer; grandchildren, Zac (Erin) Bauer, Brett (Lexis) Bauer, Alex (Hayley) Bauer, Whitney Bauer, Rachael (Corey) Richardson, Timyra Wilson and Nick Reynolds; three great-grandchildren, Olivia, Owen and Madelynn; two siblings, Sandi (Chuck) Wofter and Richard Beard as well as a sister-in-law, Joyce Weiser and many nieces and nephews. Donna was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Karen Bauer and a sister-in-law, Lois Beard.



All of Donna’s services will take place on Thursday, March 25 at Bucyrus United Methodist Church, 227 S. Walnut St., Bucyrus, Ohio where facial coverings are required. Friends may call from 10 – 12:55 pm, and her funeral service will begin at 1:00 pm with Pastor Mike Corwin and Pastor Rodney Noblit officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.



Donations can be made payable to either Bucyrus UMC or to the Bucyrus YMCA and these gifts will be accepted through Wise Funeral Service or at the church on day of services. Expressions of sympathy are encouraged to be shared on her tribute page.