The Rev. John Dover Gearing, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Sept. 27, 1996, at Ferrell Hospital in Eldorado, Ill.

He was born Nov. 24, 1917, at Delta, Ill., son of Joseph C. and Pearl Dover Gearing. He and Pauline Hull were married Dec. 24, 1945, at Harrisburg, Ill. She survives.

Gearing pastored several churches in Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas and Illinois. He was the director of missions for 42 churches of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1953 to 1979. He then was employed by the Missouri Baptist College in St. Louis as a director of development.

He graduated from Georgetown University in Kentucky and then earned a master's degree from the University of Kentucky. He received an honorary doctorate from Missouri Baptist College.

Gearing served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his wife of Cape Girardeau; a son, Dr. Michael Gearing of Harrisburg; a brother, Stacy Gearing of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Wanda Fiesler of Scott City; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a brother and two sisters.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the chapel. Dr. Myron Dillow will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.