Mildred Juanita (Crawford) Lear

Mildred J. Lear, 93, of West Salem, IL, passed away at 1:30pm on Sunday, August 18, 2024, at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney, IL. 

Mildred was born on February 22, 1931, in Brownstown, IL, to Archie and Genevieve (Stolte) Crawford. On July 14, 1952, she married the love of her life, William “Bill” Lear, in Denver, CO. 

Mildred was a homemaker and a babysitter to many that she considered family. She was also an active member of the First Christian Church of West Salem for 66 years. 

Survivors include her husband William “Bill” Lear of West Salem, four sons Jim Lear of Albion, Bruce (Jeanette) Lear of West Salem, David (Vicki) Lear and Duane (Leann) Lear both of Albion, two daughters Cathy (Roger) Hortin of New Palestine, IN and Sherry (Rob) Carter of Albion, ten grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, her sister Marilyn Sue Ferrell of Daytona Beach, FL, along with several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and four siblings Lewis Crawford, Marjorie Ashburn, John Crawford, and Erma Glover. 

A private family graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 22nd at the West Salem Moravian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the First Christian Church of West Salem and will be accepted at the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home in Fairfield, which is in charge of arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mildred Juanita (Crawford) Lear, please visit our floral store.