Lewis J. Lear, Jr., 33, of 403 S. Illinois St., Delphi was killed instantly when his 1963 model car went out of control on Indiana 25, six miles north of Lafayette at 1:10 a.m. Tuesday.

  Born in Lafayette, June 25, 1939, he was the son of Lewis J. and Flossie Battles Lear Sr.  He was a truck driver for United Van Lines.  He had served in the U.S. Air Force and was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

  Surviving with his parents are five brothers, Donald of Long Beach, Calif., Kenneth of Lancaster, Calif., Michael of Delphi, and Stephen and Kevin, both at home; three sisters, Mrs. Leona Simmerman and Cecillia Lear, both of Delphi, and Mrs. Theresa Merrick of Logansport.

  Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in St. Joseph's Church with Rev. Ambrose Ziegler officiating.  Interment will be in the church cemetery, with military graveside rites.

  Friends may call at Lloyd Funeral Home between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. and 7 and 9 p.m, Thursday.  Rosary services will be at 7 p.m. Thursday.

  Mr. Lear was southbound on Indiana 25 when he rounded a curve at excessive speed, state police reported.  The convertible car skidded 75 feet off the road, went over a 200 foot embankment, turned over several times and stuck two trees before coming to rest on its top.  Lear was pinned under the demolished vehicle and died instantly of internal injuries.

Obituary notice taken from the Journal-Citizen, Thursday, September 7, 1972