Theo M. Bear, 89, died Jan. 30 at Cherry Village Nursing Home in Great Bend. Born Sept. 4, 1921, in Lucas, she was the daughter of Walter O. and Blanche B. (Barr) Nichols. On Sept. 19, 1942 she married Myrl Bear in Junction City. He died Dec. 7, 1996. A resident of Great Bend since 1970, coming from Wichita, she was a bookkeeper at Great Bend Manor and an elementary school teacher in Russell County.

Mrs. Bear was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, EHU, Russell County Teachers Association, the American Contract Bridge League and the Elks Ladies Auxiliary.

Survivors include three sons, Charles Bear of Hampshire, Ill., Roger Bear of Omaha, Neb., and Bill Bear and wife Vicki, of Grove City, Ohio; two grandchildren, Ryan Bear and wife Gillian, and Shannon Bear; a great-grandchild, Mason Bear; and eight nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Carolyn Ann Bear and Bonnie Sue Bear; two brothers, L.K. "Nick" Nichols and H. Dean Nichols; and three sisters, Dorothy Paschal, Beth Logan and Nyla Dinsmoor.

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home in Great Bend, with the Rev. Tom Sheldon officiating. A private family graveside service will be held at a later time at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell. Friends may visit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.