Mary Ellen Bear age 81 went to be with her precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on
Tuesday evening February 25, 2025 following a stroke. Mary Ellen was born February 10 th ,
1944 at Bunker Hill, Ohio to Abner J and Lula (Miller) Schlabach. On August 22 nd , 1964 she
married George Russell Bear who survives.
Mary Ellen was a homemaker and also a co-owner/manager of rental properties with her
husband. She was a member of Oasis Tabernacle. She enjoyed gardening, decorating,
reading, traveling, and studying the Word of God. Most of all she loved spending time with
her family. She was a plucky lady and had a sparkly sense of humor.
Surviving in addition to her husband of 60 years are four children: Valerie (Tim) Gerber of
Goshen, Indiana, Brent (Carol) Bear of Parkesburg, Pennsylvania, Karl (Karen) Bear of
North Canton, Ohio and Conrad (Tiffany) Bear of Branson, Missouri; 10 grandchildren:
Alissa and Austin Gerber, Erica, Randall, Rebecca and Grace Bear and Keegan, London,
Annika and Zoe Bear; one brother, Abner J. Schlabach Jr. of South Royalton, Vermont; and a
sister-in-law, Susie Schlabach of Heredia, Costa Rica.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings: Raymond Schlabach, Alvin
Schlabach, Irene Yoder, LeRoy Schlabach and Martha Coblentz.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, March 2nd at Oasis
Tabernacle in Sugarcreek with pastors Wayne Weaver, John Yoder, Steve Yoder, and Burnell
Beachy officiating. Burial will take place at Union Hill Cemetery, Sugarcreek, Ohio. Friends
may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 28th; from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March
1st; and a final viewing 1 hour prior to the service on Sunday at the church. Those wishing
to share a memory or make online condolences may do so by
visiting www.alexanderfhinc.com.
Family suggests memorial contributions be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box
628200, Orlando, Florida 32862. Please include a note stating preference for the Wycliffe
Ministry of Jon and Karen Coblentz (301373) or you can also give online
at https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/jkcoblentz or by calling 1-800-992-5433.