Gary Wear

Gary Wear, age 79 of Vermontville, MI, passed away Sunday, January 9th, at his home.
Gary was born in Sycamore, IL on September 26, 1942, a son of the late Norma (Behlar) and Mervin Wear.
He was raised in Genoa Ill, graduating from Genoa Kingston High School in 1960. As a young man, Gary helped on the family farm, where he developed a passion for raising poultry and at one time was the youngest poultry judge in the state of Illinois.
Shortly after completing high school, Gary joined the United States Marine Corps where he served as the Admiral’s body guard, was commissioned on a submarine, and was involved in two separate helicopter crashes. His time in the Marine Corps afforded Gary the unique opportunity to travel the world and experience many new diverse cultures. While serving in the Marine Corps, Gary also attended the Naval Academy where he was involved in football, lacrosse, crew, and track. Gary served faithfully for 4 years and was honorably discharge in April 1966.
Gary had a passion for learning and after leaving the Marine Corps, he returned home, where he continued his education earning a Bachelors of Science from Judson University. It was his thirst for knowledge, that helped enable Gary to take on just about any adventure. Before he embarked on a new journey, he would spend time reading, and educating himself on details surrounding the places he would be going and events that would be unfolding.
Gary’s working career lead him to Dayton Ohio, where he was employed as the Director of Employee Assistance with the Mead Corporation. When the family relocated to Michigan, Gary worked as a Quality Control Manager for Flex Fab in Hastings, MI while he was completing his Masters Degree in Psychology at Western Michigan University. After completing his formal education, Gary accepted a position with the State of Michigan as the Director of Substance Abuse Programs, a position he held until retiring in 1995.
Gary loved traveling and engaging in different cultures whenever possible. Through the years, Gary has visited many different countries including Mexico, Belize, and China to name a few. He has been scuba diving in the Red Sea, and enjoyed a game of “catch” on the Great Wall of China with his daughter, Heidi. Each trip was not only an adventure but held valuable life lessons about different cultures, foods, and traditions which Gary passed on to his children.
He was an avid outdoorsman and has hunted big game all over the United States. He was especially fond of hunting the Western United States, and has harvested several large animals including elk, buffalo, wild boar, antelope, bear, and whitetail deer. Gary enjoyed family reunions at his brother Jim’s ranch in Wyoming, a trip that always included a hike to Medicine Bow Peak.
Gary understood the importance of “giving back”, and for many years served as the Northeast Regional Chairman for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Post Commander for the American Legion Post 45 in Hastings, Michigan.
Gary is survived by his daughters, Jennifer (Karl) Neumaier, Heidi (Mike) Mater, two sisters, Susan (Sym-che) Farma Hai, Nancy (Roy) Halverson, and grandchildren Joshua, Kristapher, David Neumier, Ali, Ridge, Cannon Mater, and honorary granddaughter Hailey Kikendall.
He was preceded in death by his brother and best friend James “Jim” Wear.
Funeral Service will be held at 1 PM on Friday, January 14th at Grace Church in Nashville, MI with Pastor Don Roscoe officiating.
The family will receive visitors prior to the funeral service on Friday January 14th from 11 AM – 1 PM at Grace Church in Nashville, MI.
Immediately following the funeral, Gary’s military service will be recognized with full military honors being rendered by the United States Marine Corps and the American Legion Post 45 from Hastings, with final interment at Fort Custer National Cemetery on a later date.
Funeral services have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville, MI. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net