BRISTOL -- Michael J. Bauer, 52, of 19219 C.R. 8, Bristol, died at 2:25 a.m. Sunday (March 28, 2010) at Golden Living Center after an extended illness.

He was born Nov. 15, 1957, to the late John W. and Lois Mary (Brooks) Bauer in Logansport. He married Rhoda D. (Morgan) Bauer on May 23, 2000, in Elkhart.

He is survived by his wife, Rhoda D. Bauer of Bristol; daughters Tara (Dan) Mulcahey and Micheal Bauer, both of Elkhart; stepson Robert Dawson of Bristol; brother Steve Bauer of Bristol; sister Deborah Bauer of Elkhart; and grandsons Makhi and Mason Elbert and Zach and Cole Mulcahey, all of Elkhart.

He was a group leader at Dometic Corporation for eight years and most recently worked at QC Metal Fabricators Inc., both in Elkhart. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, camping, watching and playing sports, spending time outdoors and NASCAR.

A gathering of family and friends will be one hour prior to Thursday's 6 p.m. memorial service at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of memorials, the family requests a tree to be planted or a pet to be adopted in memory of Michael.