Martha Helena Lear

Martha Helena Lear, 95, of Gallipolis, passed away Thursday, September 1, 2016 at OSU Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio. She was born March 14, 1921 in Gallia County, daughter of the late Oscar and Eva Marie Hively Beck. Martha was married to Garland Homer Lear and he preceded her in death on February 23, 2006. She was a 1939 GAHS graduate and retired from the Gallipolis Developmental Center. Martha was a member of Rodney United Methodist Church, Gallia County’s First Families, Gallia County Civil War Families, past president of Gallia County Homemakers, and Gallia County Genealogical Society. Surviving are a daughter: Jean (Bob) Beach of New Albany; three sons, Gary Lear of Clinton, SC, Marlin (Della Lue) Lear of Hebron, and Dale (Becky) Lear of Gallipolis; 11 grandchildren, Jay (Kim) Farrell, Kenneth (Candice) Farrell, Richard (Corey) Beach, Wayne (Jackie) Beach, Tina (Brian) Baker, Tony Lear, Jesse Lear, Lacey (Anthony) Langone, Lani Lear, Dyana Sanders, Sherri Sanders; several great grandchildren; sister, Kathryn (Bradford) Massey of Patriot and brother, Bobby L. Beck of Texas; and sister-in-law, Doris Jean Beck. In addition to her parents and her husband, Garland Lear, Martha was preceded in death by a daughter, Eileen Sanders, a grandson, Marc Sanders, daughter-in-law, Judy Lear and a brother, Les Beck. Services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at the Willis Funeral Home with Pastors Alfred Holley and Walter Bruah officiating. Burial will follow in Ohio Valley Memory Gardens. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. prior to the funeral.