Irvin C. Bearly

Irvin C. Bearly was a caring son, husband, brother, uncle, and friend. He left this world on June 22, 2021 at the age of 96.

Irvin was born June 14, 1925 in Parker, Kansas to Irvin Cowan Bearly and Dott Pearl (Stites) Bearly. As a child he attended France School in rural Parker and graduated from Parker High School.

On September 15, 1947, Irvin was united in marriage to the love of his life, Maxine May Rookstool. Irv and Maxine celebrated seventy-three years of marriage in 2020.

For nine years of their early married life he farmed near Greeley, Kansas. Irvin was looking for a different career and headed to barber school in Wichita. Irvin and Maxine settled in Newton, Kansas where Irvin owned and operated The Village Barber Shop for 30 years. In 1991 they relocated in Ottawa, Kansas to enjoy retirement.

Irvin and Maxine loved to travel and enjoyed many adventures with their camping friends. Their many road trips took them to all the continental United States except one (missed a small northeast state), Alaska, all the Provinces of Canada and the Bahamas. They were members of the Holiday Ramblers Sunflower Chapter #32 Camping Club and the Jayhawk Trail Blazers Camping Club. Irvin loved to share a piece of gooseberry pie and regale his friends with traveling stories of the beauty of Alaska, a bus trip to Yellowstone in the dead of winter, and his favorite place, the northeast to enjoy the magnificent fall colors.

When not on the road he occupied his time with woodworking, ceramics, bowling, fishing, and playing cards. He enjoyed membership with the First United Methodist Church, Ottawa.

Following in his Grandfather's tradition, Irvin became active in every facet of the Mason Lodge. He was raised to Master Mason on 5-29-52 in Parker Chapter #341. In 1953 he joined Eastern Star where he acted as Sentinel, Patron and Worthy Patron. As a member of Newton Lodge #142 he held numerous offices including Past Master in 1984. In 1978 he was appointed to the Eastern Star Grand Chapter Committee as a Proficiency Examiner of District 32. Upon moving in 1991 he affiliated with Ottawa Mason Lodge #18 holding many offices through 2013. In 1995 he was presented with the Outstanding Mason Award and received his 65 year service award in 2017. He also belonged to True Kindred, White Shrine of Jerusalem #19, Scottish Rite, Knights Templar, York Rite and Shrine Midian Hobos.

Irvin's passage through this life included simple goals; providing for his wife, serving his community, and serving his family and friends. Above all he desired to be a kind person. Goal accomplished!

Irvin was preceded in death by his parents, wife, four siblings John William Bearly, Ethel (Bearly) Phillippe, June (Bearly) Raper, and Dorothy (Bearly) Bauer.

He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends who will miss his jokes and mischievous wink!

A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 28, 2021 at Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, 325 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.  Visitation will begin an hour prior to service.  Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. at Goodrich Cemetery, Parker, KS.  Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Ottawa and sent c/o Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, KS 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com.

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