Yonda M. Lear

Yonda M. Lear, 71, of Benton Harbor passed away Friday, February 17, 2012 at her home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, February, 21, 2012 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Monday, February 20, 2012 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home or the Berrien County Cancer Service. Those wishing to share a memory of Yonda online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Yonda was born December 19, 1940 in St. Joseph, MI to Fred & Mary (Defreese) Personette. On April 20, 1957 she married Roger Lear in Benton Harbor. She worked for Paramount Die-Casting for many years. Yonda had a kind heart and loved being around people. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Yonda is survived by her husband Roger Lear of Benton Harbor; children Bonnie (Charles) Gilson of Sodus, Dennis (Charlotte) Lear Jr. of Bridgman, Todd (Christine) Lear of Baroda and Teresa (Jeff) Smith of Buchanan; grandchildren Alicia (Jason) Findley, Crystal (Luke) Hayes, Travis Lear, Terry Lear, Kenneth Lear, Kaitlyn Lear, Skyler Nelson and Tiffany Nelson; 5 great grandchildren; sisters Helen Steinke of Benton Harbor. Yonda was preceded in death by her parents, son Terry Lear, brother Fred Personette Jr. and sisters Arlene Bigelow and Carol Baldwin.