Theola Louise Bearman

Theola Louise (Straub) Bearman, 84, of Wamego, passed away Monday, December 22, 2014 at her home. Theola was born to Theodore and Margaret (Brockish) Straub on September 18, 1930 in rural Wamego, Kansas. Theola grew up in the Wamego area and attended Wamego High School. In 1947, she married Stanley Ray Harris and they later divorced. In 1966, she married James L. Bearman. He preceded her in death on November 12, 1997. Theola loved gardening, playing cards, and spending time with family. She also liked to travel, as she traveled to Alaska, Japan and Germany. She was one of the original benefactors to the Columbian Theatre Foundation, was a part of the Wamego Historical Society, and helped prepare many funeral dinners at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church as a part of the Altar Society. She was survived by four daughters: Linda Mackey and husband John Coffey, Ret. Col. USMC, Wamego, Peggy Chappelle, Florence, KS, Kathie Barr and husband Neil, Wamego, and Sue Crenshaw and husband Roy, Manhattan; four sons: Stan Harris and wife Ginnie, Emmett, Steve Harris and wife Sherry, Topeka, Jim Harris and wife Jan, Houston, TX, and Paul Bearman and wife Tracey, Wamego; two sisters: Maxine Eicham, Louisville, and Rita Muckenthaler, St. Marys; fifteen grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers: Joe Straub and Dale Straub; and one sister: Pauline Ellis. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 27, 2014, at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Wamego, Kansas. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Theola will lie-instate beginning at 1:00 p.m., Friday, December 26th, at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, where a Rosary will be recited at 8:00 p.m. The family will be greeting friends at 6:00 p.m. until the Rosary. The family has suggested memorials to the Wamego Historical Society and the Columbian Theatre Foundation and may be left in care of Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego, P.O. Box 48, 66547.