M. Myrtle KEAR, 83, of Whitesville, NY, died Thursday, November 30, 2023 in Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville. 

Born February 6, 1940, in Willing, she was the daughter of Claude L. and Martha Teater Payne.  On February 12, 1955, in Wayland, she married Bruce D. Kear, who survives.  

She attended Whitesville Central School and went on to St. James Hospital School of Nursing.  She was employed as an LPN by Highland Park Nursing Home and Jones Memorial Hospital. 

Myrtle was a member of Whitesville Firemen’s Auxiliary and a founding member of the Independence Rescue Squad. 

Surviving besides her husband, Bruce, are: four children, Donald Kear of Scio, Debra (Jeffrey) Cornell of Wellsville, Linda (Brett) Mallory of Whitesville, and Teresa Hoefte of Woodbridge, VA; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; two siblings, Frank Payne of Tucson, AZ and Mona Coleman of Whitesville; nieces and nephews. 

She was predeceased by two children, Louis Arthur Kear and Michael Douglas Kear; four sisters, Rose Weinhauer, Joyce Chambers, Alice Wray, and Twila G. Wray; four brothers, Sonny Payne, Phil Payne, Burdett Payne, and Robert J. Payne; and a son-in-law, Jefre Hoefte.  

Services will be private. 

Cremation was at OLNEY-FOUST Private Crematory. 

Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to OLNEY-FOUST Funeral Homes & Cremation, Crowell Chapel, 296 North Main Street, Wellsville.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.