of Chelsea, MI and Vero Beach, FL, age 95, passed away Friday, December 16, 2016 in Vero Beach, Florida. He was born June 4, 1921 in Belmont, Michigan, the son of Otis & Elenor (Overly) Shears. Mr. Shears was a WWII Navy Veteran. He was a member of Moose Lodge #1253 and the American Legion Post 31 in Chelsea, and was a Master Plumber by profession. He owned Hilltop Plumbing, the first plumbing company in Chelsea. Bob lived in Chelsea since 1941, and spent winters in Florida.
He married Dorothy James in Florida on Jan. 1, 1984, and she survives. Other survivors include five sons, Gail (Linda) Shears of Chelsea, Robert W. (Mary) Shears of Chelsea, Norman “Doug” (Sheri) Hillman of Chelsea, Randy (Linda) Hillman of Gregory, Tom (Denise) James of Grass Lake; three daughters, Sandra Lee Shears of Ann Arbor, Holly (Jeff) Miller of Bellville, Martha (David) Gorman of Vero Beach, FL; a brother, Albert Shears of Grant; a sister, Carolyn Anderson, of Muskegon; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Roxanne Blaess; three brothers, Otis Jr, Frank, and Alfred Shears, a sister, Virginia Kruithoff, a grandson, Ryan Shears, and a granddaughter, Icy James.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 23, 11:00 am at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, with Pastor Bobby Toler officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove East, Chelsea. The family will receive friends Thursday, from 7-9 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scout Troop 425.