Mary Lou Pears

Mary Lou Pears, 76, of Butler passed away at 10:43 a.m. Saturday at the Butler Memorial Hospital Emergency Room.

Born on Sept. 9, 1937, in Bredinsburg, she was the daughter of the late James R. Collingwood and Rose M. Croop Collingwood.

She was a faithful wife for 60 years and a stay-at-home mother of three sons. She was currently a member of the First United Methodist Church of Butler for more than 35 years.

During her life she spent more than 20 years as a military wife, traveling over the United States, Europe and Asia. During this period she sacrificed much in Third World countries to be with her husband. She enjoyed bowling and was such a fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates that she spent winters in Bradenton, Fla., where she enjoyed the spring training of the Pirates. She also was a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.

Surviving are her husband, Merle L. Pears of Butler, who she married on June 14, 1954, at the Tionesta Methodist Church; her two sons, Merle Jr. and his wife, Joyce Pears, of Butler and Michael and his wife, Xin (Gloria) Pears, of Chicora; her six grandchildren; her five great-grandchildren; her brother, Lawrence R. Collingwood and his wife, Denise, of Dover, Del.; her sister, Susan Garis and her husband, Kenneth, of Butler, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Mark L. Pears; her brother, Gerald Collingwood, and her sister, Sandra Rieger.

Pears — According to her wishes, there will be no public visitation for Mary Lou Pears, who passed away Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014.A private service will be at the convenience of the family. Private burial will take place in the Greenlawn Burial Estates.The family suggests memorial donations be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 E. North St., Butler, PA 16001.Arrangements are entrusted to the Thompson-Miller Funeral Home, 124 E. North St., Butler, PA 16001.Online condolences can be given at www.thompson-miller.com.