Russell Peter Bear, 96, formerly of Orefield, died in peace June 4, 2017, in Concordia of Fox Chapel, Pittsburgh.

He was the loving husband of the late Rachael L. (Knauss) Bear who died in 2012.

Born Jan. 19, 1921, in Slatington, he was the son of the late Francis G. and Alice A. (Weida) Bear.

A 1938 graduate of Slatington High School, he graduated from Penn State University in 1942.

He faithfully and honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy achieving the rank of ensign during World War II.

He went on to earn a Master’s degree in English from Columbia University and educational administration certificate from Lehigh University.

A teacher of English at both Allentown Central Junior High School from 1946 through 1951 and South Mountain Junior High School from 1951 until 1959, he then served as assistant principal at Dieruff High School, Allentown, until his retirement in 1978.

An active member of St. James United Church of Christ, Allentown, he sang with the choir, and later in life, he became a member of Jordan Evangelical Lutheran Church, Orefield, where he and Rachael were married in 1942.

He started his first flea market at Shupp’s Grove Antique Market, Adamstown, in June 1972 and then moved to Renningers Antique Market, Adamstown, in November of that same year.

He maintained an avid interest in antiques until the very end, and was known to hundreds of auction-goers in the Lehigh Valley for decades.

His survivors include daughters Janet L. Cellucci and her husband, Peter, of York, Carol K. Heckman and her husband, Darrin, of Bath, Linda M. Thier and her husband, Jay, of Pittsburgh; grandchildren John Cellucci, Matthew and Rachel Stirling, Jonathan, Gregory and Courtney Thier; and great-grandchildren Benjamin Cellucci, and Griffith and Russell Stirling.

He was predeceased by a brother Willard Bear and father- and mother-in-law John F. and Verna L. (Lichtenwalner) Knauss.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. June 9 at Jordan Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5103 Snowdrift Road, Orefield, with the Rev. Jerel W. Gade officiating.

Family and friends may pay their respects from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday in Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., 4906 Route 309, Schnecksville, and from 9-10 a.m. Friday in the church.

Interment will follow the service at Jordan Lutheran Church Cemetery, Orefield.

Expressions of sympathy may be recorded at heintzelmancares.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made either to the Governor Wolf Historical Society, P.O. Box 134, Bath, PA 18014 or to Hosanna House, 807 Wallace Ave., Wilkinsburg, PA 15221.