Dr. Joseph F. Bayer

Patient, prayerful and accepting, in the presence of loving family, Dr. Joseph F. Bayer, of Washington and McMurray, succumbed Monday afternoon after a protracted fight with complications of Parkinson’s disease. Born in Brackenridge, PA, May 25, 1930, he graduated from Harbrack High School. He did undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh in chemistry and math, subsequently graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. As a United States Naval lieutenant, he served a residency in pediatrics at Philadelphia Naval Hospital. In July of 1961, he established a pediatric practice in Washington. Dr. Bayer was the physician for the Washington School District and practiced at Centerville Clinic. Dr. Bayer was very committed to medical education, teaching nursing and physician candidates at Washington Hospital throughout his career. He also remained on staff with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as a co-operating physician until his retirement and continued to participate as a volunteer research subject in his retirement. Dr. Bayer’s passions in life were his family and Catholic Christian devotion. He and his surviving wife of 53 years, Billie, very active members of Immaculate Conception Church, conducted and participated in several prayer, charity and Christian education activities. He held a great appreciation of nature, particularly enjoying hunting and fishing. He is survived by his wife, Billie Gruber Bayer, sons; Michael “Doc” (Selma) Bayer of West Bethlehem Twp., Patrick (Wanda) Bayer of Tallahassee, FL, Thomas (Victoria) Bayer of Coraopolis, and William Bayer of Washington, daughters; Mary Beth (John) Barnes of McMurray, Becky Bayer of Houston, Gretchen (Robert) Wise of Eighty-Four; fourteen grandchildren, three great grandchildren, three sisters and brothers-in-law and several nieces and nephews. Friends will be received 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 29, 2008, in Immaculate Conception Church, Washington. Entombment will follow in St. James Mausoleum, Immaculate Conception Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded by Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 of the American Legion. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western PA or John F. Kennedy Catholic School.