Earl Franklin Klear, a native of New Brighton and long time resident of Beaver Falls recently passed away following an extended illness. He was residing at Worthington at Adams assisted living in Seven Fields at the time of his death.  Mr. Klear was a 1941 graduate of New Brighton High School where he played basketball.  Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the United State Marine Corps where he served with the Marine Air Wing Squadron 1 & 2.

Mr  Klear married Nora Mary Isaac on June 3, 1944  in San Diego CA. before shipping out for overseas service in the South Pacific.

After returning from his service in WWII, Mr. Klear took a position with Home Protective Savings & Loan in New Brighton working his way from teller to bank president before their merger with People’s Home Savings Bank in Beaver Falls.  He retired from that institution and served on their board of directors for a number of years.

Mr. Klear was active in community affairs, was a member of the local Masonic Lodge and the Shriners.  He served as an officer in the New Brighton American Legion and as a trustee for the First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Falls.  He was an avid gardener and cigar aficionado.

Besides his wife of 66 years, Mr Klear is survived by three children: Barbara (Mrs Henry) Keller of Butler; Raymond (Janice) Klear of Chicago IL and Janis (Mrs. Richard) Johnson of Savannah GA. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, one great grand-son, and number of nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; Arthur and Thelma Klear; four sisters; Betty Setting, Gloria Stone, Elsie Maceross, and Mary Ferris and a brother, Raymond. 

A limited visitation for family and friends will be held at Hill Kunselman Funeral Home in Beaver Falls from 10-noon on Friday February 19, 2010 with a memorial service to follow.   In lieu of flowers the family requests donation be sent to: First Presbyterian Church : trustee general fund;  1103 Eighth Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.