Merle Lloyd Pears
Master Sgt., retired, Merle “Mel” Lloyd Pears passed away Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, at Blake Medical Center in Bradenton, Fla., due to complications from COVID-19.
Mel was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1936, in Mercer County, to Laverne M. Pears and Mildred Little Pears.
He graduated from Tionesta Pennsylvania High School in 1954.He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving during the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War, retiring after 21 years of service in 1975 as a master sergeant. He served in Germany, Turkey, Korea and North Africa.Mel worked for 10 years at Magnetics in East Butler, and later for the U.S. Patent Office in Boyers.He was a member and past master of the Victory Lodge 694 F&AM Butler, and a member of Harmony Lodge 429 of Zelienople. He was also a member of the Valley of New Castle Scottish Rite Masons as a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of Syria Shrine Temple in Cheswick, the American Legion Post 828, Air Force Sergeants Association, and a life member of DAV Chapter 64.Mel was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Butler.He is survived by his second wife, Renate; his son, Merle L. Pears Jr. and his wife, Joyce Morrow, of Butler; his son, Michael L. Pears Jr. and his wife, Xin/Gloria, of Chicora; his grandchildren, Michael Pears Jr., Laura Pears Goodale, Mindy Pears Carrington, Ryan Pears, Sarah Pears Cully and her husband, Ryan, Nicholas Pears and fiancée, Alexis, and Colton Pears; along with many great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of 60 years, Mary Lou Collingwood Pears, whom he married in Tionesta Methodist Church on June 14, 1954; his youngest son, Mark Lawrence Pears; and a grandson, Timmy Pears.PEARS — Visitation for Master Sgt. retired Merle “Mel” Lloyd Pears, who died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, at Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler, where a Masonic service will be held at 6 p.m.Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home with the Rev. David Janz officiating.Officers and members of the American Legion Post 117, American Legion Post 778, and VFW Post 249 will conduct military services graveside at Greenlawn Burial Estates, Mount Chestnut.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.
