Obituaries
C. Dennis Bear, 71
February 16, 2021
C. Dennis Bear, known by many as Dennie, 71, of Lancaster, passed on peacefully Tuesday February 16, 2021.
Born March 31, 1949 in Lancaster, Dennie was the son of the late Clarence and Irene (Myers) Bear. A 1967 graduate of McCaskey High School, Dennie enlisted in the United States Army following high school and was stationed in Germany. Following his dedicated service to our country, he went on to work at R.R. Donnelly for over 37 years from 1972 until his retirement in 2009. He was a professional pressman.
On February 12, 2000, Dennie married Linda Skean and went on to celebrate 21 wonderful years together which was full of memories and joy. An avid muscle car enthusiast, Dennie owned a 1970 and 1988 mustang and worked on them often. He was a member of the Mustang Club of America and produced the Lancaster County Cruisers newsletter for several years. Aside from American Muscle, Dennie enjoyed cooking, listening to music, watching Nascar, and travelling around the world. His travels took him to Ireland, Germany, Hawaii, Emerald Isle, and the Florida Keys. Dennie collected hundreds of vinyl records and attended numerous concerts through the years. Regarded as an avid Nascar fan, he attended numerous races with his sons in years past. Above all and most importantly, Dennie loved spending time with his family and cherished memories created with them.
He is survived by his wife: Linda Bear and former wife: JoAnn Bear; two sons: Dennis J. Bear and Darryl W. Bear husband of Norma; a stepson: John Ferenz companion of Stephanie Morrison; a stepdaughter: Debra Hatfield wife of Troy; three grandchildren: Ryan Bear, Kira Bear, and Shaye Berry; as well as a great-grandson: Oden Gehman. His presence will be missed by his two Dandie Dinmont Terrier fur babies, Bilbo Baggins Bear and Chloe Bear as well.
A celebration of life service for Dennie will be held at a later date. Inurnment will occur at the convenience of the family at Conestoga Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dennie’s honor can be made to the AMVETS Post 19, 715 Fairview Avenue #5827, Lancaster, PA 17603.
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Condolences to the Family
February 25, 2021
Thoughts and prayers coming your way! Sorry for your loss…Dennis was a classmate from McCaskey.
Shelley ( Lefever) Hamilton
February 22, 2021
Please accept condolences and prayers from Dennis’ oldest cousin. Although I had not been in touch with him for many years, I have memories of our fun times together with his mom and dad when we were younger.
Brenda Aschenbach
February 22, 2021
It is with deepest sympathy that I extend thoughts and prayers to your family. I have many good memories of Dennie and family as former neighbors on Brian Drive. Wishing you all peace and comfort
Marlan Nolt
February 21, 2021
My heartfelt condolences go out to the family of my dear friend Dennis.Although we shared no blood kin, We shared something almost as close.We were a part of the Cold War that very few knew anything about.We met in 1970 in a little place called Eschborn West Germany as members of the 317th Engineer Battalion. We volunteered to stand up to the Communist threat that could have accelerated into WW3. We did this with a “Big stick” called ADMs.Atomic Demolition Munition is what that stood for.My true Brother’s family should be very proud of his willingness to give his life for his country if it came to that. Our platoon trained daily in the use of small nuclear weapons to slow the advancement of our enemy if they ever tried to overrun West Germany. We all knew our mission was likely to be a one way thing for us.Our chance of survival was almost nonexistent but we chose to do our part if the attack came. Because of the very closeness we shared with our fellow platoon members, we continue to have reunions to this day all over the USA.When young men face what we did they tend to become, in some ways, closer than real blood family members. You had to have that bond to ever hope to complete our mission. Well as everyone knows now, we won the Cold War. Dennis was proud of his unwavering commitment to our great nation as we all were. He and I became very close and I traveled with his wife and baby son around Europe and got to go to a Paris France on one of our trips.I truly miss me dear friend. He and Linda even invited my wife and I along with Mike Redick and his wife to a free vacation a couple of years ago to their favorite place, Emerald Isle off the North Carolina coast where we sat around and relived some of the crazy stories of our military service some 50 years ago. Dennis, my true friend, will be sorely missed by all of us who came in contact with him. Rest in eternal peace my Brother.
Hoot Gibson
February 20, 2021
When a mans work on Earth is done, he is called Home.
Edward Ramsey-Lewis
February 19, 2021
Linda –
Prayers and thoughts are with you and your wonderful family. Such a loss – just want to give you some hugs. Love Dot
