Harlan "Jake" Deaton

Harlan “Jake” Deaton, 84, of North Vernon, passed away at 9:27 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at his residence.

Born March 23, 1941, in Chavies, Kentucky, the son of the late Willie and Verna (Smith) Deaton. He married Mary Elizabeth Wilcox; she preceded him in death on December 15, 2020.

Harlan was a member of the Valley Settlement Old Regular Baptist Church in Deputy and enjoyed fishing, traveling, attending Blue Grass Festivals and watching UK Basketball.

Survivors include his son, Larry (Jewell) Deaton of North Vernon; his daughter, Melinda (Jeff) Galliher of North Vernon; sisters, Wilma Jean Bailey and Helen Smith, both of North Vernon; grandchildren, Willie (Blue) Deaton of Seymour, Josie (Tyler) Smith of Sunman, Christopher Galliher of North Vernon, Jared (Kaylee) Galliher of Deputy, Kara (Josh Parker) Allen of North Vernon, Rachel Lewis of Garberville, California, and Joesph Lewis of North Vernon;  great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Oaklynn Deaton, both of Seymour, Walker Smith of Sunman, Clover Horton of Deputy, and Aiden Allen and Kenneth Parker, both of North Vernon; and several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and sisters, Dorothy Baker, Roberta Stidham, Alma Rae Noble, and Edna Sims.

A funeral service for Harlan will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon. The visitation for family and friends will be on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The burial will follow in the Vernon Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in honor of Harlan through the funeral home for expenses.

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