II Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Ralph E. Bauer, 82, of East Peoria, arrived in Glory, to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at his home with his family by his side.

He was born June 4, 1943, at home, in Claytonville, Illinois to Elmer and Elsie (Fink) Bauer.  He married Sandra K. Yergler on December 26, 1965 in Cissna Park, Illinois.  She survives.

Also surviving are three children, Rich (Mary) Bauer, Ruth (Brad) Duffer, Randall Bauer; nine grandchildren, Abigail, Mark, Jeremiah, Sarah, Aaron, Adam, Ruthie, Christine, David; twelve great-grandchildren, Hosea, Elizabeth Sandra, Zemira, Nadia, Juliet, Kaladin, Gabriel, Kaylee, Tommy, Aaliyah, Alice, Ayden; one sister, Judy (Fred) Maul; one brother, Tom Bauer; and nine loving nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and his oldest sister, Marilyn Bearden.

Ralph received his Masters Degree in Mathematics in 1965 and taught Algebra at Streator Community High School, East Peoria Community High School, and Illinois Central College before retiring in 2014.

He and his wife enjoyed watching sports and are avid Cubs baseball,  Bradley Braves basketball, and Fighting Illini basketball fans.  For over four decades "Mr. Ralph" loved serving in the 1/2nd grade Sunday School Department as the Well-Versed Kids Bible memory man at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria. Moments before death, "Pa" was still listening to his great grandson, Hosea, recite Psalm 121:1-3 "I lift up my eyes to the hills.  From where does my help come?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber." Days before he passed, he was encouraging other great grandchildren to recite Psalm 33:12 "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." Up until his heart failed just weeks before his passing, he was daily babysitting for great grandkids and actively enjoying gardening with his "dauter" next door.  "Pa" never missed an opportunity to share a book of John with everyone he met. He was the kindest and most generous man, who lived to serve his Lord Jesus and his fellow man.  He will be profoundly missed by everyone who ever knew him.  We have great faith that he heard the words from Matthew 25:23, "Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.  Enter into the joy of your master."

He was a member at Grace Pres. where his funeral service will be held at 1pm on Monday, May 11, 2026.  Visitation will be from 10am to 1pm on Monday at the church prior to the funeral.  Burial will be at Fondulac Cemetery in East Peoria.  Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, IL, or to The Pocket Testament League in Lititz, PA.

Ralph's memorial website is available at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where condolences may also be sent to the family.