Floyd Leroy Bear, 81 of Russell, died on Friday, February 4, 2011 at the Salina Regional Hospital in Salina, Kansas.

Floyd was born on October 13, 1929 in rural Russell County, Kansas the son of Chester and Anna Fay (Newcomer) Bear.  He was raised on the family farm, grew up in the Russell County area and graduated from Russell High School in 1947.  He lived in Russell County most all his life except for the short time he served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956.  After his military service he came back home to run the family farm and was a farmer and stockman most all his life.  He loved being a farmer, tinkering with his farm equipment and loved roaming the pasture with his beloved dog.  He also enjoyed reading and attending Otterbein United Methodist Church in Russell.  In 1999 he retired from the farm and moved to Russell for a quiet retirement.  Many times you could find him walking all over town because his doctor told him it would be good for his health.  Most days you could also find him enjoying a good meal with a few of his close friends at Meridy’s restaurant.  Most of all he loved spending time with his family and had a very special and close relationship with his sister, Vera Hinnen, who help take care of him these last few years.

Surviving family include his sisters Vera Hinnen of Holton, Kansas and Mildred Reiter of Belleville, Pennsylvania and his brother Vernon R. Bear of Tucson, Arizona and cousin Gerald Brandenburg and wife Radonna of Russell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Brother Loren Bear and infant brother Everett Bear.

A memorial service to celebrate Floyd’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with Luke Brandenburg officiating.  There will be no visitation and a cremation service has been arranged by the family.  The register book will be available for family and friends to sign from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. Friday, February 11, 2011 at the mortuary.  Memorials may be given to the Kansas State University, Basic Cancer Research and sent in care of the mortuary.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.