WAUSEON, OH - Rev. Daniel Bare (October 4, 1935 - December 4, 2024) Daniel was the oldest of two children born to Mervin and Gertrude Bare, residents of Tiffin in Seneca County, Ohio. Daniel and his younger sister, Roma (King), of Tiffin Ohio, were raised on a farm and learned while growing up that hard work was the expectation, taking care of cows, pigs, and chickens, along with working in the fields.

While attending Harmony UM church (Seneca County) in 1950, a 15-year-old girl, by the name of Maribelle Clark, moved into their pastor’s house and caught Daniel’s eye. It took Daniel 3 years to work up the courage to raise his game. One night after revival services at the church, Daniel stuck a bottle cap down the back of Maribelle’s shirt and within a week on, October 4, 1953, Maribelle picked up the phone and called “Danny” to wish him a happy birthday….and the sparks flew from there and never stopped. They were married on June 24, 1956, and were love birds for 67 years until she passed away in September 2023. Dad always shared that success of a long, healthy marriage is to “Always keep your wife on your right side… she will let you know when you don’t”.

Daniel graduated from McCutchenville Local in 1953, then proceeded to attend Heidelberg College, majoring in Biology and obtained a Bachelor of Arts, then attended Oberlin Graduate School of Theology where he obtained a Bachelor of Divinity degree. Daniel started a long tenure of Preaching God’s word at Republic Trinity in 1956. He then pastored churches in Bascom, Ohio (1960), North Dover in Wauseon, Ohio (1963), Hicksville Trinity (1972), Liberty Chapel UM (1978), Miller Memorial in Johnstown, Ohio (1985), and Burgoon Ohio (1992). Daniel retired in June 1998 and moved back to Wauseon, Ohio so he and Maribelle could be closer to family and friends.

Dad has always stated that it was Philippians 1 verses 4-7 that was God’s call on his life to enter a lifetime of serving God and God’s people. “He who begins a good work in you will bring it to the completion at the day of Jesus Christ”. Dad said that God told him to apply this to his life and Dad answered His calling.

Daniel and Maribelle had 6 children, Daniel (Rita) Bare, Deborah Bare, Rodney Bare (friend, Rhonda), Rebecca (Toby) Ernsberger, Stephen (Byronna) Bare, and Ruthann (Jeff) Block. Debby died when she was only 2 days old.

In addition to his children, Daniel is survived by 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on their way); sister, Roma (Duane) King, and nieces, Deborah (Rick) Myers, Lynda (Chris) Knagg, Jean (Tom) Weaver, Kathi (Matt) Baker, and Janell (Jimmy) Parker.

Daniel faithfully served God’s calling on his life for 42 years. Daniel was a loyal lifelong fan of the Cleveland Indians, but it was the game of baseball itself that he loved so much; and he loved to chase the foul balls at whatever minor league baseball game he attended. He would sign the balls and then hand them out to the children in churches he preached at to see the smiles on the children’s faces. Mom and Dad were season ticket holders for the Toledo Mudhens when they played at the Rec Center. Daniel could most of the time be found waiting at the right field corner foul pole, umbrella in hand, waiting on the next foul ball where he’d use the umbrella to rake the ball in. Daniel’s “foul ball mission” put him on a first name basis with most Mudhen’s pitchers in the bullpen and when they’d get a foul ball, they’d hand it to him. This mission wasn’t without danger though, when Daniel was 56 years old, there was a foul ball that landed in the right field bleachers and Daniel went diving over a bleacher seat to grab it and broke a rib. He didn’t get the ball initially, but the young boy who chased it down felt sorry for that old man who was in lots of pain and gave Daniel the ball.

Daniel wanted to share one more thing with all of you. “Hold onto your bottle cap, you never know how God can use it to bless your life”. Something as simple as a bottle cap...To God be the Glory!

Visitation will be held on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Liberty Chapel Global Methodist Church, 9474 County Road V, Liberty Center, Ohio 43532, where a funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM officiated by Pastor David Chivington. Burial will be at Greenlawn Cemetery, Tiffin, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lifewise Academy Liberty Center, Church of the Master, or to Liberty Chapel Global Methodist Church. If sending flowers, they may be delivered to the church on Monday between 8:00-10:00 AM. For additional information and to view Daniel’s online obituary, please visit www.churchfuneralsdirect.com.

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