Joan Marie Bauer

Joan Marie Bauer, 73, of Findlay, passed away at on Monday, April 25, 2022 at her residence. Joan was born on July 7, 1948 in Bryan, Ohio. Her parents were Chester and Fanny (Heer) Bauer. Her sister is Patricia Bauer Smith of Fort Wayne, Indiana. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, David Smith. Her nephew Lyncoln Smith lives in Cypress, Texas with his wife Shaleeta and sons, Symeon, Jaxon and Kaleb Joseph (KJ).Joan is also survived by her beloved pets, Oreo and Pumpkin. They were preceded by a long line of other felines, Blaze, Bandit, Bingo, Bryan, Benny, George and Gracie.She graduated from Bryan High School in 1966. Joan graduated from Defiance College in 1970 with a B.A. in elementary education. She attended Kent State University during summers until graduating in 1974 with an MED in deaf education.Joan was a teacher of the hearing impaired from 1970 to 2010 in Findlay City schools. The last twelve years were spent in working with multiple handicap students. She was part of the four original teachers who initiated the Deaf Education Program at the old Howard School on College Street in Findlay. In later years, the program moved to other buildings to be able to integrate the deaf students with hearing peers. Joan was a teacher at Howard School, Ben Franklin Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Northview Elementary, Chamberlin Hill Elementary and Jacobs Elementary.Joan met and became friends with some special people when she worked in Findlay. Among them are Deb Wickerham, Deb Searls, Rose Drake, Judy Haas, Deb Dillingham and the ladies at Chopin Hall. She volunteered at Chopin Hall and the Hancock Historical Museum. Friends she encountered there were Sarah, Joy and Lauren. Joan also worked at the University of Bluffton as a costume designer for the theatre department. She worked with and enjoyed the company of Melissa, Merv and her costume assistant, Brianna.Joan was cremated; and in keeping with her wishes, there will be no formal funeral. Friends can meet for a Celebration of Life from 1-3 pm on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the Hancock Historical Museum, 422 West Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio 45840.In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Chopin Hall, 1800 North Blanchard St., #125, Findlay, Ohio; the Hancock Historical Museum; or the Humane Society & SPCA of Hancock County, 4550 Fostoria Avenue, Findlay, Ohio.Online condolences may be shared at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.

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