Lear, Ellis Raymond 'Rap' (1902-1990)

LEAR, KNUDSON, MAYNARD, BENING, LARSON, FINCHAM, BOUGIE

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 2/16/2015 at 16:54:48

Daily Freeman Journal, Monday, June 18, 1990

E.R. "Rap" Lear, 88, Des Moines, a former longtime Hamilton County sheriff, died Sunday, June 17, at Calvin Manor in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 19, at 1:30 p.m. at the Foster Funeral Home in Webster City, Rev. Robert W. Kem officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Jewell. Visitation at the funeral home is after 6 p.m. today, with the family receiving relatives and friends from 6-7:30 p.m. tonight.

Ellis Raymond Lear, son of Knut and Ida (Knudson) Lear, was born April 21, 1902, on a farm near Jewell. He was educated in Jewell, and graduated from Jewell High School. He attended St. Olaf College and Jewell Lutheran college. He and his father operated Lear Dairy Co.

He married Frances Maynard on Aug. 16, 1927. The couple resided in Jewell. In 1936, Mr. Lear joined the Iowa State Highway Commission. In 1938, he became sheriff of Hamilton County, at which time the couple moved to Webster City. He served as sheriff for over 35 years, until his retirement in 1973. Mrs. Lear preceded him in death on Feb. 28, 1977. He continued to reside in Webster City until October 1979, when he moved to Calvin Manor.

He is survived by three daughters, Christine (Mrs. Clark) Bening, Des Moines; Martha (Mrs. John) Larson, Tallahassee, Fla.; and Linda (Mrs. Richard) Fincham, Iowa City; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, and a daughter, Sara Bougie.

Mr. Lear was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church; the Iowa State Sheriff's Association, where he served as president; the Webster City Kiwanis Club; Webster City Elks Lodge, Webster City Country Club; Iowa Seniors Golf Association, where he served as president; the University of Iowa "I" Club; and was recognized for community service in law enforcement by the Webster City Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.