THE funeral of a much-loved vicar and scholar who will be remembered for his dedication to parishioners will take place next week.

Victor Pearce was the former rector of St Mary's, in Bucknall, and St James, in Audley.

The 97-year-old spent more than 50 years leading Church of England congregations all over the country. He also preached internationally – but it was his years in Bucknall that Mr Pearce, of Kidsgrove, remembered most fondly.

The great-grandfather-of-eight died last week after a period of deteriorating mobility and old age.

Originally from Bromley in Kent, Mr Pearce felt called to the ministry at an early age.

But there was no money for study, so he instead worked as a draughtsman until a family friend and the church's pastoral aid society jointly funded his course at the London College of Divinity.

He was ordained at Liverpool Cathedral at around the start of the Second World War and became a curate there, also volunteering as an air raid warden.

Wife Joyce, aged 90, said: "He was working long hours in the parish during the day and entertaining people in air raid shelters at night with his concertina playing.

"He contracted TB and was hospitalised for a year – that's why he was never called up.

"We married in 1942, after his release from hospital but the doctors said he couldn't use his voice following his illness, so he worked at Rubery Owen's manufacturing in Darlaston.

"Then a vicar in Dorset was called up to fight and Victor had to cover. It wasn't long until a fellow clergyman recommended Victor for a parish of his own in South London."

By the end of the war that church was the only one in the area left standing.

And, in 1951, Mr Pearce was invited to Bucknall and Bagnall parish, serving a huge catchment of 45,000.

Joyce added: "The time when Victor was rector there was the most exciting of his life. It was then that he studied the science of creation at Oxford University.

"He got his degree in 1965 and later a doctorate from Florida University, both through correspondence courses."

After 20 years at Bucknall, Rev Pearce became vicar of St James church in Audley.

He became an associate for Christian network Trans World Radio, and later for United Christian Broadcasters.

During his career, he went on missionary visits to India, South Africa and Northern Ireland, and also took part in archeological digs in Turkey and America. He retired in 1980 and published seven books.

The couple had three children – Andrew, Christine and Roger. Andrew suffered from multiple sclerosis and died in 1994, aged 51. And 61-year-old Christine said: "It was interesting as the daughter of a vicar. Dad was very busy with the church but it was just normal life for me and my brothers."

His funeral will take place at St Thomas's in Kidsgrove next Thursday at 1.30pm.

Family flowers only, with donations accepted for UCB.