Irene M. Bear

Irene M. Bear, 93, of Allentown, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024 in Lehigh Valley Hospital – Cedar Crest. She was the wife of the late Gerald F. Bear, who died in 2005.
Born in Northampton, she was a daughter of the late George and Mary (Laky) Benko. Irene was a graduate of Northampton High School. She dedicated her life to raising her family but also worked as a secretary for a garment company and in the cafeteria at Cedar Crest College. Irene was a former member of St. Paul's R.C. Church in Allentown. She loved to go out to eat, enjoyed crochet and puzzles and was an avid Penn State and Eagles fan.
Survivors: Sons, Gary W. Bear and his wife Barbara of Budd Lake, NJ, Kevin R. Bear of Coopersburg and Ronald F. Bear of Colorado Springs, CO; sister, Stella Becker of Whitehall; brother, John Michael Benko of Coopersburg; 2 grandsons, Aleksandr and Jason. Irene was also preceded in death by a daughter Jean Sharrer, grandson Daniel Bear, sister Mary "Mitzi" Sabatino and brothers Alfred and Joseph Benko.
Services: A prayer service will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, September 13, 2024 in the K.V. Knopp Funeral Home, 46 E. Susquehanna Street, Allentown. A visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of the service in the funeral home. Interment at Grandview Cemetery will be private for family.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942.