Harley Ross Bauer

Harley Ross Bauer, age 88, of Franklin, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2025 at Sugarcreek/We Care Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

Born on March 22, 1937, in Worthington, Armstrong County, he was the son of the late Harry L. Bauer and Sarah Ocie Swartzlander Bauer.

Ross was a 1955 graduate of White Memorial School in Knox.

He was first married in 1954 to Shirley Harbin at Lamartine United Church of Christ, and they had two children together. He later married Patricia Griffin, who preceded him in death in 1997, and Nancy Wagner, who preceded him in death in 2015.

As a young man, Ross worked on the family farm with his father and stepmother. He later became a milkman for Country Bell in Seneca and went on to work for General Motors in Warren, Ohio. The majority of his career was spent at Joy Manufacturing in Franklin, Pennsylvania.

Ross was well known for his love of country music and his talent as a square dance caller, a passion he began at the age of 16. He played the bass fiddle and sang with his band, The Country Gentlemen Trio, delighting local fans for many years.

He was a member of the Atlantic Avenue Church in Franklin and a 32nd Degree Mason with the Edenburg Lodge in Knox, Pennsylvania.

He is survived by his two children: a daughter, Victoria Rhea (Frank Alvin) of Pittsburgh and a son, Keith Bauer (Kelly) of Lake Wylie, SC; his stepchildren: Rodney Griffin (Melissa) of Franklin, Debbie Sweetapple (Rod) of Clintonville, and Steve Wagner (Jamie) of Tionesta. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a brother-in-law, Elwin Rhoades (Marga) of East Springfield. 

In addition to his parents and wives, Ross was preceded in death by six sisters: Verna Flick, Anna Mae Anderson, Dorthea Cochrane, Jane Bowser, Olive Best, and Joye Knight—and an infant brother, Harry Leroy.

Family and friends will be received from 2-4 and 6–7 p.m. on Friday June 27, at the William N. Rupert Mortuary, Inc., 430 Mendenhall Avenue, Knox. Masonic services will be held at 5:45 and the Funeral service will be at 7 pm on Friday, June 27, at the funeral home.

Interment will be held at a later date at United Presbyterian Cemetery in Sarver, Pennsylvania. He will be laid to rest beside his mother, who died during his childbirth, and his infant brother.

Memorial contributions in memory of Harley Ross Bauer may be made to AseraCare Hospice (payable to Amedisys) 12664, US-19, Unit 1-A Waterford, PA 16441.

Online condolences may be sent to Ross’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com.

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