WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Frederick F. Stears, 85, of Featherstone Road, Constantine, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010, at his home.
He was born Jan. 11, 1925, in Goshen, Ind., a son to Frederick S. and Hazel (Auble) Stears.
He lived all his life in the Constantine area. He was a graduate of Constantine High School in 1942 and was known as “Moose,” for his high school football years.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving a short term before being called home to manage the family farm after his father became ill.
He operated the farm the rest of his life and was also a seed corn dealer. Fred enjoyed tinkering in his workshop, he liked traveling in the Western United States and spent many winters in Nevada. He was a member of the Arthus E. Stears American Legion Post #223 in Constantine.
On Nov. 20, 1954, he marrired his childhood sweetheart, Betty L. Tish, in Constantine.
He was devoted to his family as they were to him in his final journey through life.
He is survived by his wife, Betty L. Stears; children, Fred (Gloria) Stears, John (Sheila) Stears, Rita (Jim) Bickle, Sheila (Frank) Seybert, all of Constantine; grandchildren, Fred Stears, Katie (Troy) German, Amanda and Brittany Stears, Jacob (Tina) Lintz, Julie (Jacob) Schroeder, Dr. Kathy Bickle, Ken (Jenny) Bickle; great-grandchildren, Freddie and Cooper Stears, Khloe German, Chandler, Cohen, Addison and Reed Schroeder; many cousins, including Betty Wirtz of South Bend, Ind. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Relatives and friends may call from 4-8 p.m. today at the Farrand Funeral Home in White Pigeon where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday with the Pastor Dennis Smith, of Messiah Luteheran Church in Constantine, officiating.
Memorials may be directed to the Scholarship Fund of the Arthur E. Stears American Legion Post in Constantine. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
