Father Sylvester W. Bauer, of Westphalia and Freeburg, was born on January 29, 1916, at Freeburg, a son of George Henry and Mary Theresa (Redel) Bauer, and departed this life at 8:20 p.m., on Friday, August 30, 2013, in the St. Mary's Health Center, Jefferson City. Father Bauer had attained the age of 97 years, 7 days, and 1 month.

Father Bauer attended Conception Seminary College, Conception, Missouri, and Kenrick-Glennon Seminary, St. Louis. On December 19, 1942, Father Bauer was ordained by His Eminence, John Joseph Cardinal Glennon for the Archdiocese of St. Louis. After his ordination, Father Bauer served at two parishes in the Diocese of Jefferson City, Immaculate Conception Parish in Jefferson City, and St. George Parish in Gardenville.

During his ministry in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Father Bauer served in the following parishes: St. Joseph, White Church; St. Mary, West Plains; St. Mary, Joplin; Immaculate Conception, New Madrid; St. Agnes Cathedral, Springfield; Sacred Heart, Thayer; Holy Trinity, Marshfield; and St. Francis de Sales, Lebanon. Father Bauer retired on August 19, 1986, and resided in Freeburg and Westphalia, and was member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg.

Throughout his 70 years of priesthood, Father Bauer was a devoted advocate for rural life and prison ministry. He was a representative in the Social Concerns Department of the Missouri Catholic Conference and served on the Prison Reform and Catholic Rural Life Task Force.

Father Bauer is survived by one brother, Tony Bauer, Freeburg; nephews; nieces; other relatives; and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his father on April 17, 1961; his mother on December 27, 1960; and two brothers and eight sisters, August G. Bauer, Sophia Wilbers, Sister Frances Teresella Bauer SSND, Leona Locker, Bro. Leonard (Roman) Bauer, Sister Germanus (Minnie) Bauer SSND, Elizabeth "Betty" Goedde, Sister Bergine (Hilda) Bauer S.SP.S., Mary Goedde, and Infant Mathilda Rose Bauer.

The Funeral Mass for Father Bauer was celebrated at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, September 4, 2013, in the Holy Family Catholic Church, Freeburg, with Bishop James V. Johnston, The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau; Bishop John R. Gaydos, The Diocese of Jefferson City; and Bishop Emeritus John J. Leibrecht, The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, officiating.

The family of Father Bauer extends an invitation to all attending the Funeral Mass to a luncheon at the American Legion Hall in Freeburg following the Mass.

The Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes is assisting the family of
Father Bauer.