Ronald Vincent Stear

Ronald Vincent Stear, 87, of Hanna City, said goodbye and peacefully entered into the loving arms of his Redeemer on Thursday, February 24, 2022. Born in Hanna City on February 8, 1935, he joins those preceding him in death, his wife of 66 years, Velma (Reader) Stear; his parents, John and Maude Stear; brothers, James Crim, John Stear, Frank Stear, Gene Stear, Melvin Stear, and Harold Stear; and one sister, Elizabeth Powers.

Ronald leaves behind one brother, Bill Stear; his six children, Pam (Raul) Rodriguez, Ronald A. Stear, Connie (George) Burek, Tim (Susie) Stear, Penny (Mike) Baxter and Jeff (Michelle) Stear. Ron was blessed with 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren, with another on the way. Even in his final weeks he expressed his love for his family.

Ron worked for 42 years at Caterpillar Inc., starting with riding a bike and delivering the mail throughout the East Peoria Plant, and ending his career in Materials at the Mossville Plant. Ronald served his community in ways too many to enumerate, from serving on the Village Board, the Sanitary District, the School Board, various church roles, but his second job, and true love was being a volunteer fireman on the Logan-Trivoli Fire Protection District. He started on the fire department February 2, 1955 when he was just 20 years old and continued in active duty until his retirement 67 years later on February 2, 2022. In 2015, in recognition of his years of service, the LTFPD and Hanna City community celebrated Ron's commitment and renamed the firehouse the Ronald Stear Firehouse. That same year, he was named the Heartland Heroes Armed Forces/Public Service Hero by the American Red Cross. Ron truly lived the fireman's motto: "When I am called to duty, God wherever flames may rage, give me the strength to save a life, whatever be its age."

Ronald's visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 27, 2022, at Davison-Fulton Bartonville Chapel, with a firefighters walk-through at 5:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, February 28, 2022 at the Hanna City United Methodist Church, where he was a lifelong member, with the funeral immediately following at 11:00 a.m.

Interment will take place in Smithville Cemetery in rural Hanna City. .

Memorials may be made to the Logan-Trivoli Fire Protection District or the Hanna City United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to Ronald’s family at www.davison-fulton-bartonvillechapel.com