Our History

Clyde Bauer creator and founder of Bauer Funeral Home was born and raised on the Bauer family farm in rural Valley City. As a child, and as an adult, he always felt that all of God's creatures deserved a fitting departure from this world, which inspired him to open a funeral home to serve Valley City and the surrounding communities.

After graduating from high school, he was encouraged to consider becoming a funeral director, since he had the gift to ease the pain and suffering one endures during the death of a loved one. Clyde went to Cleveland to serve his apprenticeship to prepare for the state board exam.

After receiving his license, in 1941, he returned to Valley City, Ohio to remodel his family's homestead on Columbia Road to establish Bauer Funeral Home.

In 1943, Clyde opened his funeral home out in the country along with an ambulance service to serve the local community. While running Bauer Funeral Home, Mr. Clyde Bauer also operated the family farm. On his farm, he grew crops and raised beef cattle.

Clyde married Hazel (nee Gunkelman) in 1954. Clyde and Hazel had two children Daniel and Mary Ann. Hazel raised the children and played an important supporting role to her husband's business until she passed away in 1985.

When Clyde retired as funeral director, both his son and his daughter assumed responsibilities in the family funeral home business. Mary Ann Bauer became the funeral director and Daniel Bauer assisted with funerals and continued to run the family farm.

Mary Ann graduated from Buckeye High School, and then went on to earn her associate degree in business at Tri-C. Mary Ann served an apprenticeship with her father, Clyde, and became a licensed funeral director in 1986.

Even when Clyde Bauer retired, he still played an active role in the business, because he was blessed with the gift to ease the pain and suffering one endures during the death of a loved one. Mr. Clyde Bauer passed away in 2001.

Daniel Bauer married Madlyn Bauer in 1979 and had two children Diana and Charles. Madlyn Bauer became the housekeeper for Bauer Funeral Home and an assistant at funeral services. Diana and Charles serve as assistants whenever additional support is needed.

The Bauer family is proud that Bauer Funeral Home is still family owned and operated. The Bauer family takes great pride in working together to serve families in one of the most difficult times of their lives, and treat all of the families they serve as if their loved ones were one of their own. The business is what it is today, because of our family commitment to meet the needs of the community.