Margaret Bauer

Margaret Bauer (Jo), 85, of Southington, passed away due to complications from Alzheimer's disease, at her home, on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 4:40pm. Jo was born on April 14, 1931 in Warren, the daughter of the late John Bryson and Margaret Frances (Treager) Marsteller. Jo was a proud 1949 graduate of Chalker High School. On June 24, 1954, she married Roy H. Bauer and they made their home together in Southington, where they raised two daughters. Jo was a first-grade teacher at Southington Local School, for all but two years of her 33 years' career. She was a member of Southington Local School Board for 10 years. Her greatest joy was teaching her first graders to read, the love of America, and reminding them every day how special they were to her. Sounds of "America the Beautiful" and "If You're Happy and You Know It", could be heard daily in her classroom. Besides teaching, Jo loved sending cards often with a dollar and a stick of gum in them, playing cards, drinking coffee, watching the Cleveland Indians, and spending time with family and friends. When she was younger, she was an active member of 4H and had many award-winning Jersey cows. She was the former President of the Chalker Alumni Association, and chairperson of the Southington New School Committee, and former Treasurer of the Southington Cemetery Association. Jo was member of Southington United Methodist Church and a former member of First United Church of Christ in Warren. She leaves behind two daughters; Peggy (Kevin) McKenney, of Champion, and Jennifer (David) Mitchell, of Southington, a friend who was like a son to her, Albert Haberstroh, of Southington, and her two greatest joys, her grandsons, Hunter Bauer McKenney and Matthew David Mitchell. She always said her life was complete when she became a grandma, as she loved spoiling them with her time and adventures. The boys learned to live by the rule: "What happens at Grandma's house stays at Grandma's house." She also leaves behind her dog Daisy and cat Mitty. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years, Roy, a brother John Bryson Marsteller Jr., two sisters, Vivian Jane Whitney and Dorothy Esther Marsteller. Friends and family may call Tuesday, November 22, 2016 from 4-8pm at Lane Family Funeral Homes, Roberts-Clark Chapel, 180 Garfield Dr. Warren. Funeral service be take place Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at 11 am at the funeral home, with Pastor William Johnson celebrating Jo's life. Interment will be at Southington Reformed Cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to the Chalker Alumni Association: Joan Marsteller Bauer Scholarship Fund or to Southington United Methodist Church Local Missions Fund. The most important thing Jo would want you to remember is to be kind, generous and treat people with dignity and respect. Her love for school, community and county will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her forever.