Rev. Donald E. Spear

Rev. Donald E. Spear, 89 passed peacefully into the loving arms of God, Wednesday, February 4, 2026, with his daughters by his side. Don resided at Egle Nursing and Rehab Center in Lonaconing, MD with his wife Jean since June of 2021. Don and Jean celebrated 66 years together before Jean's passing on July 6, 2025.

Born in Orange, N.J. on November 15, 1936, Don was the firstborn and only son to Edwin Francis and Vivian Lyle (Miers) Spear. His sister Susan Dorothy (Spear) Hook preceded him in death in Nov. 2021. Raised in Maplewood, N.J., Don graduated from Columbia High School in 1954 and went on to graduate in 1958 from Bucknell University with a dual major in religion and mathematics.

During his time at Bucknell, Don experienced two defining events that shaped the course of his life. The first is when Don met his beloved wife Jean while attending a Student Christian Association conference at Camp Happy Valley in Fairfield, Pa. The second event happened in 1957 when Don attended a Billy Graham Crusade. It is there he felt called to the ministry. Don and Jean were married in June of 1959. Don graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1961 with a bachelor of divinity. After graduation he entered the ministry as assistant pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Bradford, PA.

Don also served the First United Presbyterian Church in Silver Creek, N.Y. from 1965-1978, Barton and Lonaconing, Maryland Presbyterian churches from 1979-1990, and the New Lisbon Presbyterian Church in Lisbon, OH from 1990-1999. Don retired from the ministry in November of 1999 and remained in Lisbon until moving back to Western Maryland in 2001 where he and Jean resided in Belair.

Don had many interests and hobbies over his lifetime. He enjoyed collecting baseball cards, matchbox cars, and stamps. He taught himself how to cross stitch in his 50's and designed a clergy stole with flags representing countries of the world. Don also created a personalized cross stitch for each of his children and grandchildren. Don and Jean also loved to travel, often times with their shelties Bonnie and Belle in tow. In 1984 Don planned a 7 week trip out west to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Each and every day was planned including mileage, accommodations, and sites to enjoy. Don created keep sake albums of the experience documenting the entire trip. Over the years Don and Jean visited the lower 48 and enjoyed a once in a lifetime adventure to Alaska in a mini van while pulling their pop-up camper!

Don leaves behind his four children; daughters Melinda Susan (David) Best of Avoca, N.Y., Amanda Louise (David) Hawkins of LaVale, MD and Cynthia Marie (Keith) Dasher of Hazleton, PA and son, Andrew Eric (Cynthia Miller) Spear of Escondido, CA. For those that knew Don best, it is no surprise that he found great delight in his children's rhyming nick- names: Mindy, Andy, Mandy & Cindy.

Don, a.k.a. Papa also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Lee Edward (Kristen) Winebrenner of Levittown, PA, Alyssa Jean (Matthew) Gustin of Bradford, PA, Lydia Diane (George) Sweatt of Greenwood, N.Y., Joshua David (Christina) Best of New Brunswick, N.J., Jessica Diane (Seth) Lawrence of Pittsburgh, PA, Katherine Grace (Brandon) Hosselrode of Berlin, PA, Jordan Edward (Emmie) Best of Brooklyn, N.Y., Jackson David (Kamden) Hawkins of Powell, TN, Samuel Andrew Spear and Abigail Jean Spear of Escondido, CA. Step-grand children include Justin (Cait) Dasher, Julia (Christoph) Hoening, Jared (Amber) Dasher.

Don's great grandchildren include Sage Olivia, Leah Jean, and Hope Felicity Gustin, Salem Ethan Joshua and Levi Josiah Best, Luke Edward Winebrenner, and Acer Wayne Hosselrode.

In accordance with his wishes, Don will be cremated. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Don's memory to the Barton and Lonaconing Presbyterian Churches. Barton Presbyterian Church, 19201 Legislative Road S.W. Barton, MD 21521. First Presbyterian Church Lonaconing, 1 East Main St. Lonaconing, MD 21539.

A heartfelt thank you to the entire staff of Egle Nursing Home for their tender loving care of our dad (Papa). We are so very grateful for each and every one of you. May God bless you all.