JOHN BAYER

John Pershing Bayer, 81, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999, at Memorial Hospital in St. Petersburg, following a lengthy illness.

He was born Aug. 23, 1918, at Kinsey, son of Edward and Agnes Bockencamp Bayer. He and Dorothy Difani were married April 28, 1945, in Grand Island, Neb.

Bayer was employed 22 years with Missouri State Employment Service in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1983.

He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Exchange Club, Elks Club, VFW Post 3838, and member and officer of Knights of Columbus.

Bayer served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. He was part of the Army Air Corps and Corps of Engineers, graduated from the Counter Intelligence Corps, and was assigned to the Office of Special Ivestigations.

He later was assigned to the 3084th Air Police Squadron in Westover, Mass., retiring with the rank of major. He received the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, Jack and David Bayer of Atlanta, Ga., Robert "Bo" Bayer of Gainesville, Fla., Dr. Richard Bayer of Portland, Ore.; a sister, Virginia Bayer of Festus; and six grandchildren.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 4-8 p.m. Friday. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m., and Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Vincent's Church. The Rev. Milton Ryan will officiate. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with graveside rites by VFW Post 3838.