Joseph F. Bayer, Jr. (75) passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 31, 2025. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Joseph and Grace Bayer.
 Joe’s family moved to Norwood, Massachusetts, where he graduated from Norwood High School in 1967. He attended Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana, on a wrestling scholarship and graduated in 1972 with a B.A. in Political Science and History. He was also an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
 In 1972, Joe began his lifelong career at Joseph E. Seagram & Sons in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where he worked in several capacities including Personnel, Safety Director, Finished Goods, and Traf­fic Manager.
 Dedicated to his community, Joe was actively involved in the Dearborn County United Fund, Dearborn/Ohio County Red Cross, Lions Club, Lawrenceburg/Greendale Chamber of Commerce, and served as Chairman of Seagram’s annual picnic and the 1976 Bicentennial Parade. He also coached Little League and gave generously of his time to local causes.
 Joe was a lifelong member of Dearborn County Country Club, where he enjoyed countless rounds of golf. He loved traveling and RVing with his wife, Donna, and their friends.
 He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 37 years, Donna Sue; his son, Jon Michael Bayer; his parents, Joseph and Grace Bayer; his brother, Thomas Bayer; and his aunt, Mildred Banninger.
 He is survived by his daughter, Shelly Gorman (Robert); his son, Thomas Loring, Jr. (Dr. Bradley Patterson); his brother, Richard Bayer; his sister, Virginia (Jeff) Heim; his grandchildren, Rebecca Gor­◤CO Check hyphenation◢man (Erik), Aubrey Myers-Gorman, and Aiden Loring; and many nieces, nephews, and friends who will miss him dearly.
 A visitation to celebrate Joe’s life will be held at Fitch-Denney Funeral Home, Greendale, Indiana on Friday, September 5, 2025 from 5-8pm. Church ser­vice and burial will be on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church , Bellaire at 11 am.
 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bellaire.
 Arrangements entrusted to Fitch-Denney Funeral Home.
 For online condolences or further information, please visit www.fitchdenney.com.