Gazlay Family History
 

Family HistoryFamily History - William Frederick Lear


Key:1.“+” before a child’s name indicates the child has their own entry in the next generation.
 2.“born xxxx” indicates the child is under 18 years of age so the birth date is not shown.
This family history features William Frederick Lear and two of his descendants down to the second generation.


First Generation
1. William Frederick Lear,1 born 8 September 1904 (parents not determined);1, 2 died 8 October 1984 in Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan.1 William married, 6 September 1930 in Hesston, LaPorte County, Indiana, Mildred Fern Herman7, 8 (born 10 March 1910 in Oronoko Township, Berrien County, Michigan, the daughter of Frank David Herman and Leona Almira Gazley;2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Mildred died 6 August 2005 in Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan3, 4, 7). Mildred is buried in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles, Cass County, Michigan.3

Children of William Frederick Lear and Mildred Fern Herman:

+2i. Norman Frederick Lear, born 2 December 1931 in Michigan; died 17 July 2007. Married Dolores J. Arnold.
 3ii. James Franklin Lear, born 14 May 1944.9

  1. Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996; Lear, William F., died 8 October 1984 in Buchanan, Berrien [County], Michigan, born 8 September 1904.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Berrien County, Buchanan Township, Enumeration District 11-31, Sheet No. 6B, family of William F. Lear (35, Wisconsin, molder, auto parts factory); wife Mildred J. Lear (30, Michigan); son Normal F. Lear (8, Michigan); brother Lyron Lear (12, Michigan).
  3. Find a Grave (website). Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles, Branch County, Michigan, Mildred Fern Herman Lear, born: 10 March 1910 in Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan; died: 6 August 2005 in Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan (from record, which provides the names and links for her parents and ten siblings).
  4. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Lear, Mildred, no. 376-64-4725, died 6 August 2005, born 10 March 1910.
  5. U.S. Federal Census, 1910, Michigan, Berrien County, Buchanan Township, Enumeration District 70, Sheet No. 3B, family of Frank Herman (39, Michigan, farmer); wife of 19 years Leona Herman (37, Michigan, 10 children, 9 living); father Christopher Herman (84, Germany, married 49 years); daughter Minnie I. Herman (16, Michigan); son Fred Herman (14, Michigan); daughter Hattie Herman (11, Michigan); daughter Ruby Herman (8, Michigan); son Ralph Herman (6, Michigan); daughter Margaret Herman (4, Michigan); son Albert Herman (2, Michigan); daughter Esther Herman (1 6/12, Michigan); daughter Mildred Herman (4/12, Michigan).
  6. U.S. Federal Census, 1920, Michigan, Berrien County, Buchanan Township, Enumeration District 82, Sheet No. 1A, family of Frank Herman (49, Michigan, farmer); wife Leona Herman (47, Michigan); daughter Ruby Herman (18, Michigan); son Ralph Herman (16, Michigan, farm laborer); daughter Margaret Herman (13, Michigan); son Albert Herman (12, Michigan); daughter Esther Herman (11, Michigan); daughter Mildred Herman (9, Michigan); son Wilson Herman (7, Michigan); daughter Illah Herman (6, Michigan); daughter Evelyn Herman (3 4/12, Michigan).
  7. Obituary, The Herald Palladium, St. Joseph, Michigan, 8 August 2005, Mildred F. Lear, died: 6 August 2005 in Buchanan, Michigan. The article provides vital and biographical details and the names of her parents, husband, two sons, and one sister.
  8. Sweet/Fish/Gazlay/Post Family Tree, Ancestry (website), Owner: Eagan Anderson, Florida. Although few sources are shown in this extensive tree, the birth, marriage, death, names, and other details typically agree with other sources. This tree is generally cited as a reference in our Gazlay Family History website only where the information is not found in any other source, such as children who died in infancy, middle names, etc.
  9. This is publicly viewable information found in various public information repositories, people finding websites, and/or social media.
Second Generation
2. Norman Frederick Lear2 (William1), born 2 December 1931 in Michigan;1, 2 died 17 July 2007.1 Norman married Dolores J. Arnold4 (born 17 July 1935 in Niles, Berrien County, Michigan, the daughter of Oswald Arnold and Elva L. Knapp;3, 4 Dolores died 12 October 1994 in Berrien Center, Berrien County, Michigan4). Dolores is buried in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Cassopolis, Cass County, Michigan.4

  1. Social Security Death Index (SSDI), Rootsweb (website). Norman F. Lear, no. 372-28-0906; died: 17 July 2007; born: 2 December 1931; last place of residence: Berrien [County], Michigan.
  2. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Berrien County, Buchanan Township, Enumeration District 11-31, Sheet No. 6B, family of William F. Lear (35, Wisconsin, molder, auto parts factory); wife Mildred J. Lear (30, Michigan); son Normal F. Lear (8, Michigan); brother Lyron Lear (12, Michigan).
  3. U.S. Federal Census, 1940, Michigan, Berrien County, Niles Township, Enumeration District 11-58, Sheet No. 1A, family of Oswald Arnold (36, Russia, plasterer, building); wife Elva L. Arnold (36, Michigan); son Donald C. Arnold (13, Michigan); son Norman G. Arnold (11, Michigan); daughter Dolores J. Arnold (6, Michigan); son Dale L. Arnold (5, Michigan); son Deuane L. Arnold (1, Michigan).
  4. Obituary, Unidentified newspaper, posted at Ancestry message boards, Dolores J. Lear, died: 12 October 1994 in Berrien Center, Michigan; born: 17 July 1935 in Niles, Michigan. The article provides vital and biographical details, place of burial, and the name her her husband, listed as Norman Lewis Roberts [sic, his middle name is listed as Frederick in other records].