Howard F. "Bear" Liberty III, 51, of Colum-biana, Ohio, formerly of New Brighton, passed away September 6, 2017, at Greenbriar Health Care, Boardman, Ohio, after an extended illness.

Born May 16, 1966, in New Brighton, he was the son of Betty (McKelvey) Bross and her husband Joseph Bross of New Brighton and the late Howard F. Liberty Jr. Howard was a machinist by trade, but a musician by heart. Bear liked to play his guitar and sing anywhere he could. He was also a DJ and at one time a stage hand for Alabama. He was a member of the Winona United Methodist Church, Winona, Ohio, and a member of the Bridgewater and New Brighton Volunteer Fire Departments.

Surviving are his wife, Kimberly (Powers) Liberty; his stepdaughter, Laura Vorriesas, Monaca; two sons, Mathew Howard Liberty and Howard F. Liberty IV, both of Beaver Falls, two daughters, Angela Brooke, Beaver Falls, and Miranda Eichenberger, Washinton D.C; five grandchildren, Breonna, Rachel, Jared Jr., Annabel and Ariana; one sister, Linda (Frank) Spagina, New Brighton, one stepsister Darlene Houk, New Castle; one stepbrother, Joseph Bross Jr., New Brighton, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and their families.

Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the J&J SPRATT FUNERAL HOME, 1612 Third Ave., New Brighton, www.jjsprattfh.com, and Saturday from 10 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11 a.m., with his pastor, the Rev. Thomas Scott, officiating.

Cremation will take place after the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are asked to be made to the funeral home, 1612 Third Avenue, New Brighton, PA 15066.

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