Zear, LaVon

LaVon Zear, 83, of Washington, Iowa, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 21, 2010. Funeral services have been set for Friday, July 23, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church in Washington, with Pastor Harald Gruber officiating. Burial will be in Cottonwood Cemetery near Wayland. Visitation will begin at noon today at Beatty Funeral Home in Washington, with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

LaVon was born Aug. 6, 1926, in Wayland, Iowa, the daughter of Nicholas V. and Oleta G. (Smith) Rich. She was united in marriage to Lyle D. Zear on Sept. 9, 1950, in Fredericksburg. LaVon was a member of Faith Baptist Church, enjoyed being a part of the aquasize group at the Y and was involved in various neighborhood coffee clubs. She enjoyed reading, tending to her flower gardens, sewing and attending Bible studies.

Survivors include her husband, Lyle of Washington; five children and spouses, Jacque (Gregg) Trude of Helena, Mont., Tim Zear of Washington, Iowa, Jeff (Nancy) Zear of Iowa City, Shelley (Lloyd) Hayes of Washington and Chad Zear of Washington; five brothers, Marvin Rich of Findley, Ohio, Dean Rich of Mount Pleasant, Edward Rich of Lockridge, Iowa, Willis Rich of Fort Myers, Fla., and Jim Rich of Miami, Fla.; three sisters, Lorraine Swanson of Arlington, Texas, Joyce Stull of Mount Pleasan and Doris Hall of Tampa, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and five great- grandchildren.

Preceding LaVon in death were her parents and two grandchildren, Adam and Ethan.

A memorial fund has been established for Hospice of Washington County and Faith Baptist Church.

Condolences: