Dcn. GearonA funeral Mass for Deacon William Anthony Gearon was celebrated Feb. 15 at Immaculate Conception Church in Maplewood. Deacon Gearon died Feb. 10. He was 91.
Deacon Gearon married Mary Louise Franken on Dec. 31, 1949, and had nine children — William, Mary, Kathleen, Janet, Patricia, Dennis, Joseph, Jeanne and Ann. Deacon Gearon was ordained on Feb. 11, 1989, at the Saint Louis Cathedral by Archbishop John L. May. He was assigned and assisted the pastor at St. Anthony Parish in High Ridge, where he served as a deacon until he entered into retirement status in 2005.
Deacon Gearon served at St. Louis Lambert International Airport as an airport chaplain. He served his parish by presiding at baptisms, funeral services and weddings. Additionally, Deacon Gearon served his parish by leading RCIA classes, marriage preparation and annulment advisory consults, visiting nursing homes and making Communion calls to the homebound. He was also involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and the local food pantry. Deacon Gearon also was a board member of Birthright of Hillsboro.