Frederick O. "Fritz" Bauer, 81, of Elyria passed away Friday August 17, 2012 at the Lifecare Center of Elyria following a brief illness. He was born July 5, 1931 in Elyria and was a lifelong Elyria resident. An Ohio Licensed Funeral Director for 56 years, Fritz for many years worked for the former Wainwright Funeral Home and became a partner of the Bauer-Laubenthal Funeral Home in 1989, retiring in 2000. He served many families in the Elyria area as a funeral director with much compassion and care. He devoted most of his life to the funeral profession. A 1949 graduate of Elyria High School, he also attended John Carroll University, was a past president of Spring Valley and Northwood Schools PTA, member of the Elyria Noon Rotary Club since 1979, member of the Lorain County, Ohio and National Funeral Director's Associations, St. Mary Catholic Church and served in the United States Coast Guard. He enjoyed all sports, spending time with his family, and tending to his lawn and gardens and feeding birds. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Carrolee (nee-Schafer); daughters, Christine (Keith) Nine of Akron, and Amy Lynn Bauer of Elyria; grand-daughters, Sarah (Christopher) Davis, Rebecca (Sean Anstead) Nine; grandson, Ryan Bauer; great-grandaughter, Addison Davis. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick G. and Gladys (nee-Owen) Bauer. There will be no visitation. Services will be Monday August 20, 2012 at 12:00 noon at the First Congregational Church of Christ 330 2nd St., Elyria. The Rev. Christina Kukuk, pastor, and the Rev. John Blaser will Officiate. PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH. Burial will be at Brookdale Cemetery, Elyria. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Bauer-Laubenthal Funeral Home. 440-322-4626. Memorial contributions can be made to New Life Hospice 5255 N. Abbe Rd. Elyria, OH. 44035 or to the charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com Service: 12:00 Noon Monday August 20, 2012 First Congregational Church of Christ 330 2nd St. Elyria, OH.