Betty Lou Leair

Betty Lou Leair, age 86, of Baumertown Road, Weedville, PA, died July 6, 2026 at Pinecrest Manor after an eleven year illness.  A daughter of the late William “Clarence” and Elizabeth (Watkavitch) Leair, she was born on January 19, 1940 in Montersville, WV.

Betty lived most of her life in Bennetts Valley’s “Baumertown”.  She graduated from Bennetts Valley High School Class of 1958. She received a Certificate of Proficiency from the DuBois Business College in 1971 and attended North American Secretarial School in 1986. She also received a Certificate of Accomplishment from Stackpole Carbon for completion of Quality Education System.

Betty worked at Stackpole Carbon for thirty years and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. She worked at Osram Sylvania for twelve years until her retirement. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Force where she taught Faith Formation for fifteen years, volunteered for funeral dinners, fish fries and Labor Day food tent.

Betty was a member of St. Joseph Cemetery Committee, the Bennetts Valley Lion Club since 2003 and sat on the Board and Chaired Jay Twp. Sewage Board for five years. She enjoyed books, knitting, flower gardening, animals and all kinds of sports.

Along with her parents, Betty was predeceased by a sister, Shirley Zuraski; a sister-in-law, Helena Leair; a brother-in-law, James Neilson; and a niece and nephew, Vicki and Scott Winslow.

Betty is survived by her brother, Clarence “Bob” Leair; her sister, Virginia Neilson; seven nieces and nephews; seven great-nieces and nephews; and two great-great-nephews.

Public visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. and on Thursday, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. at the Ralph M. Geer Funeral Home of Penfield.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held, 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 9, 2026 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Force, PA with Father Mark Mastrian.

Interment will take place in the St. Joseph Church Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to the St. Joseph Catholic Church or the Bennetts Valley Ambulance and will be accepting online condolences at the Ralph M. Geer Funeral Home website (www.nedzafamilyfuneralhomes.com).