Lee R Mears

Cremation rites were accorded. A memorial service will be held at a later date with burial in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville, IL. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to the Shelbyville Boy Scout Troop #51 or the General Dacey Trail.

Lee was born on September 22, 1923 in Decatur, IL, the son of Leroy E. and Lelia M. Buchanan Mears. His family moved to Shelby County, IL when Lee was seven years old. He graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1942. Lee enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1942 and served with the first crew of the newly commissioned aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Yorktown in the South Pacific. While home on leave in September 1944, he married Beulah M. Bryson. He was stationed at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Central California until he was discharged on November 11, 1945. Lee and Beulah were married for over 71 years. Lee and Beulah lived in Mid-Missouri on a farm for eight years. While in Missouri, they lived in a barn that Lee renovated and made into their home. They moved back to Shelbyville in 1978. Lee was a member of the Findlay American Legion Clarence Bixler Post #409.

He is survived by his wife, Beulah; sister, Phyllis R. Lee of Findlay, IL; brother, Richard L. Mears and wife Mary Ann of Rockford, IL; many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; one great great niece; and one great great nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Richard E. Mears who was born and died in 1947 and Charles Robert Mears, was born on July 10, 1945 and was killed in the Viet Nam War on June 16, 1967; three sisters, Carol Lou Mears, Mary Jo Mears, and Jean A. Anleitner and husband Albert; brothers-in-law, Gerald F. Lee and Charles L. Bryson; and sister-in-law Marge Bryson.

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