Jan. 26, 1946 — June 30, 2014

John David Gearhart, 68, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, formerly from Marcellus and Dowagiac, Michigan, passed away on June 30, 2014, at Pruitt Health Osceola Nursing Home, Ocilla Georgia.

John was born on Jan. 26, 1946, to Kenneth and Frances Gearhart of Buchanan, Michigan.  Surviving are his brothers Paul (Jane) and Kenneth Edward and his sister Catherine (Frank) Bell.

John is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Paulette (Hilliard) Gearhart and their four children, Tammy (Wayne) Ferguson, Angela (Jeff) Biggart, Bob Gearhart and Jonell (Clay) Dean. He has seven grandchildren, Morgan (Ben) Brown, Erich (Sarah) Biggart, Kayla Keifer, Carly Ferguson, Paige Dean, Gage Dean and McKenzie Dean and one great-granddaughter, Paisley Biggart.

John served as a United States Marine, a volunteer firefighter, a policeman, was a business owner and worked for Coachmen, Ind. He was a Mason for life and belonged to the Masonic Lodge.  John was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Marcellus, Michigan and St. Williams Catholic Church in Fitzgerald, Georgia.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  The family can be contacted at 112 Jennifer Lane, Fitzgerald, Georgia 31750.