2022 Bicentennial “Queen of Whitesville”
Luella E. KEAR, 96, of Whitesville, NY, passed away peacefully Tuesday, November 18, 2025 in her home. Born September 28, 1929, in Whitesville, she was the daughter of Edward Michael and Martha Elizabeth “Mattie” Buchholz Flynn.
On December 11, 1949, in Whitesville, she married Allan C. Kear, who predeceased her on October 26, 1999.
She was employed by Mapes Woodworking in Whitesville, Whitesville Central School, and Wellsville Elementary School. Luella was a member of 50-year member of the Whitesville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, Independence Gospel Fellowship Church, Red Hat Society, Wellsville Moose Club, and in August 2022, she was crowned Queen of Whitesville as the oldest living woman during the town’s bicentennial celebration.
Surviving are: four children, Ernest Kear of Whitesville, Melissa Graham of Wellsville, Marilyn (Thomas) Greek of Olean, and George Kear of Whitesville; grandchildren, Bryan (Julieanna) Kear, Tracy (Michael) Mills, Katlyn Kear, Douglas (Melissa) Graham, Heather (Michael) Collins, Elizabeth (Joel) DeLancey, Emily (Tyler) Cornell, Hannah (Hunter) Kane, Melissa Graham, David Graham, Samantha (Michael) Dowling; great-grandchildren, Joanne Graham, David Graham, Hazel Collins, Theodore Cornell, Hudson Kane, Maverick Kane, Greyson Kear, Wrenlee Dowling, Lucas Kear, Joey Kear, Evalene Kear, Isaac Kear, Aubrie Mills, and Hailey Mills; nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband of 50 years, she was predeceased by two sons, Dennis Kear and Jeffrey Kear; six sisters, Mary Matteson, Loretta Easton, Lucille Fanton, Mildred Flynn, Helen Mix, and Arlene G. Swort; and four brothers, Paul Flynn, John Flynn, Vincent Flynn, and William Flynn.
Services will be private. Burial will be in Whitesville Rural Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Whitesville Vol. Fire Dept. Ladies Aux., P.O. Box 82, Whitesville, NY 14897 or Independence Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 309, Whitesville, NY 14897.
Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, 34 West State Street, Wellsville, NY.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
