America Bear Castanon

America Bear Castanon, lovingly known as Meri and Mera, passed away on April 23, 2023, at the age of 67. She was born on April 29, 1955, in Monterrey, Mexico, to Pedro Alejandrino Bear and Hilda Trinidad Rojas Bear.

America loved her one and only son, Joel Bear dearly and was very proud of him, and considered her daughter-in-law, Berta Coralia Bear, as a dear friend. Her love extended to her grandchildren, Carlos Bear, Gustavo A. Bear, and Crystal Marie Bear, whom she adored dearly. She kept a special place in her heart for her beloved grandson, Joelito.

She took great joy in her weekly and sometimes daily conversations with her siblings and other loved ones. She made sure to always end her conversations with “I Love You”.

America loved gardening and was happiest watching the blooms appear. She also had a love for old western movies, Motown, and Selena music, she enjoyed listening to her favorite songs. You did not always see her with a smile on her face, but her dry and sometimes sarcastic humor would no doubt, always leave you with a smile on your face and many times with laughter that brought tears to your eyes. She loved, she cared, she fought, and she cried but it was her caring nature that was seen even with her neighbors.

America was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry Castanon, her father, Pedro A. Bear, her mother, Hilda T. Bear, her beloved grandson, Joel G. Bear (Joelito), and her brothers, Armando W. Bear, Ruben Bear, and Abraham Bear.

She is survived by her son, Joel Bear, her daughter-in-law, Berta Coralia Bear, her grandchildren, Carlos Bear, Gustavo A. Bear, and Crystal Marie Bear, her brothers, Juan A. Bear and Jaime G. Bear, her sisters, Ernestina Bear and Liberty Simpson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

America Bear Castanon will be remembered for her feisty and fiery spirit, her sense of humor, her love for her family and her special fried chicken recipe.

Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her, and she will be deeply missed. May she rest in peace, knowing she was dearly loved and will be forever remembered in the hearts of her loved ones.