John E. Lear

John E. Lear, age 74 of Lake, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, with his beloved wife by his side. On October 5, 1951, John was born one of five children to Robert and Virginia (Dean) Lear in Garden City, MI. John’s childhood and early adult years were spent in Garden City until age seventeen when he began service as a member of the United States Army during the Vietnam War. During his overseas service time, John met the love of his life Hannelore “Hanny” Teppich, while he was stationed in Germany. On October 18, 1973, the pair was united in marriage in Mainz and have spent every bit of the last fifty-two years together. At the conclusion of John’s service time, he and Hanny moved to Westland, MI., where John began his faithful thirty-three-plus year career as a delivery and salesman for the Taystee Bread Company. In 2012, John officially retired, and he and Hanny moved to their hunting property in Lake, where John could enjoy the outdoors—especially his passions for deer and turkey hunting with his brothers Gary and Mark, as well as his grandkids and their spouses. His brother Gary was an integral part of all of the projects on the property, where Gary was the Master and John was proudly his "Ass"istant. Gary helped make the property their home. John also enjoyed raising his vegetable garden, and he couldn’t resist a good reality TV show. However, those that knew John best knew that he was the biggest jokester. He always had a new joke to tell you and couldn't wait to see your reaction. That was his favorite part. Above all, his family was the center of his life. Nothing brought him greater joy than supporting his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren through their sporting events with his gentle encouragement and infinite sense of humor that they will deeply miss but forever cherish. John's family would like you to know that he was their best friend and their rock. He was always there when someone needed a hand or just needed to talk. If you said you needed him he was there. John is survived by his loving wife Hanny of Lake, his mother Virginia Lear of Garden City, and his four children Wally (Jimmy) Nagel of Inkster, Thomas Teppich of Germany, Tammy (Bryan) McFalls of Lake, and Connie (Dave) Boyd of Lake. Other survivors include his nineteen grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren—plus two more on the way, his brothers Gary (Cheryl) Lear, Mark (Cindy) Lear, and Robert Lear, Jr., many nieces and nephews, and his cherished fur babies Roxy and Max. John was preceded in death by his father Robert Lear, his sister Linda Bailey and his grandson Stephen McKinley. A funeral service in honor of John will take place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Farwell Chapel of the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Michael Dietrich officiating. Military honors will follow. A time of visitation will take place at the funeral home on the 15th from 12:00 P.M. to the time of service at 2:00 P.M., and a luncheon in honor of John will take place at the Farwell Senior Center from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions in honor of John may be suggested to Hanny Lear to be divided among local youth sports programs. For those unable to attend services, online condolences may be shared at www.stephenson-wyman.com

John E. Lear

October 5, 1951 - August 12, 2026