David "Bear" Readnower

Mr. David “Bear” Readnower, age 80, of Franklin, KY, passed away on Thursday, September 8th, 2022 at 10:20 PM at the Hospice House in Bowling Green, KY.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 11th, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory and will continue on Monday, September 12th from 6:00 AM until 2:00 PM.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 12th at 2:00 PM with burial to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Franklin, KY with military rights given by the Simpson County Honor Guard.

Bear was born on July 27, 1942 in Lexington, KY to the late Floyd Jennings Readnower and the late Beulah (Devine) Readnower.  He is also preceded in death by a son, Terry Mallard; previous wife, Lynda Russell Readnower; 8 siblings, Don Graham, Carl Graham, Jr., Floyd Readnower Jr., Gladys Turner, Elizabeth Phillips, Tommy Readnower and Marlene Readnower; and a baby sister.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Wanda Ladd Readnower; 3 children, Rhonda Mallard Jones of Franklin, KY, Lee Readnower (Laurie) of Harrodsburg, KY and Michelle Russell (Lynn) Springfield, KY; 10 grandchildren, Drue Collins, Trenton Jones, Martina Melvin, Meagan Foster, Tanner Readnower, Tyler Readnower, Taylor O’Shaughnessy, Aaron Bee, Jessica Bee and Emily Johnson; 7 great-grandchildren; brother, Daniel Boone Readnower of Harrodsburg, KY; sister, Pat Whalen of Louisville, KY; and several nieces and nephews.

David was a member of Pioneer Baptist Church in Harrodsburg, KY and was the lay minister at the House of Prayer Church in Franklin, KY.  He was a veteran from the US Air Force and served from 1960 to 1964 and was stationed at the Whiteman Air Force Base near Knob Noster, MO.   David was retired from Riley, Pruitt and Readnower.  He was a member of the Harrodsburg Jaycees in Harrodsburg, KY, a former Board of Director for Harrodsburg/Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, served on the Harrodsburg Pioneer Days Festival Committee, was a Kentucky Colonel and a Mason in the Glasgow area.  David liked to fish and watch westerns. 

Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory website is www.gilbertfhonline.com.  The Facebook page is Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.  The obituary phone line is 270-586-8844.

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