Person:George Bayer (3)

Eulogy for George F. Bayer by son, Jon on 13 Oct 1998: EULOGY FOR GEORGE F. BAYER

Remarks of Jon D. Bayer as a eulogy for his father George F. Bayer 13 October 1998 at the Wiedeman Funeral Home, Steelton, PA

My first memory of my Father was as a 3 or 4 year old. I remember running to the top of the steps to meet him when he came home after a day working in the coalmines. He worked as an electrician and came home covered with soot, smiling, hugging and giving me his lunch bucket to carry. I remember that often there was a "Little Debby" chocolate cup cake there for me.

As I think back over my 54 years, my memories of my Dad are of a happy, kind and loving father. They include all the things Dad's and kids do: camping, shoveling snow, planting trees, picnicking, painting the house, and cutting grass. Helping each of us with our homework. I especially needed help with spelling. Going to work with my Dad to his store in Pittsburgh, learning how to tie knots, learning how to swim…he let me find my way. And then there are all the birthdays, anniversaries, vacations, wedding, the graduations and birth of children. He was so proud of all that we did.

"My Daddy"

George Francis Bayer Jr. We are here to celebrate the life of my father who was this man: •Son of a railroader •Son of a teacher and house maker •Brother of Louis, Clara, Francis, Sis, Velma, Charles and Bernadette •Husband of Georgia and Esther •Father of Marlyn, Jon and Toni •Stepfather to Jack and Glenda •Grandfather of Bruce, Nancy, Bryan, Shon, Michelle and Lisa

He was also: •Editor of his school literary magazine •Center of the football te4am •He was a high school senior full of promise and dreams and hope who was looking forward to his freshman year at West Virginia University to study electrical engineering, but life had other plans for George. It was 1929and the depression struck hard in Western Pennsylvania. He was the only family member with a job. He helped support his family throughout the depression.

He fell in love with a girl named Georgia, the daughter of a railroader and a student at the teachers college.

His dreams began to change. The depression and World War II interrupted the dreams of several generations and Dad was among those who tirelessly worked day after day to provide for his growing family and at the same time built the America we have inherited.

He and Georgia raised three children and he gave to each of us an important lesson: Responsibility. It is up to each of us to make our way, to make our mistakes and to find our own place.

He and Georgia were married 50 years before she suddenly was called home to be with the Lord.

The following years as a widower I am sure were at times so lonely despite our best efforts to include him but God had more plans for his life and he and Esther were married almost 7 years ago. This was a blessed marriage that has provided happiness to both. They did everything together include have matching minor heart attacks. Along with the marriage came a new family: step children Jack and Glenda and their families of 6 grandchildren and 15 step-great-grand children.

Today we say goodbye with all the love we have for the gentle loving man I have always called "Daddy"

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census. (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2002.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626)
   Year: 1930; Census Place: East Pike Run, Washington, Pennsylvania; Roll: 2162; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 62; Image: 469.0.

   Birth date: abt 1911Birth place: Residence date: 1930Residence place: East Pike Run, Washington, Pennsylvania _APID: 6224::56611799

   http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1930usfedcen&h=56611799&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Ancestry.com. 1920 -1930 United States Federal Census. (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA. Note: Enumeration Districts 819-839 on roll 323 (Chicago City.Original data - United States)
   Year: 1920; Census Place: East Pike Run, Washington, Pennsylvania; Roll: T625_1658; Page: 32B; Enumeration District: 162; Image: 921.

   Birth date: abt 1912Birth place: PennsylvaniaResidence date: 1920Residence place: East Pike Run, Washington, Pennsylvania _APID: 6061::62561278

   http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1920usfedcen&h=62561278&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Ancestry.com. Social Security Death Index. (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007.Original data - Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security)
   Number: 192-09-4561; Issue State: Pennsylvania; Issue Date: Before 1951.

   Birth date: 11 Mar 1911Birth place: Death date: 10 Oct 1998Death place: Mechanicsburg, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, United States of America _APID: 3693::3523852

   http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=ssdi&h=3523852&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

4.   Ancestry Family Trees. (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.)
   Ancestry Family Trees.

   http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=650738&pid=-2065024439 _APID: 1030::0