NORTH VERNON

Kenneth Merle “Buck” Pearson Sr., 78, of North Vernon, passed away at 5:42 p.m. on January 22, 2021, at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.

Born October 3, 1942, in Jennings County, he was the son of the late Emerson and Margaret (Driver) Pearson. He married Carol Schafstall on January 21, 1961, in North Vernon; she survives.

Buck was a bus driver for Jennings County Schools from 2016-2021 and had worked as a truck driver for Bender Lumber in Seymour and Columbus for several years and a truck driver for Brands Lumber in Columbus. He was a 50-year member of Christ Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and a member of the North Vernon Civil Defense. Buck enjoyed driving his bus, woodworking, going to church and his grandkids.

Surviving with his wife Carol, are sons, Kenneth Merle Pearson Jr. and Trevor (Brandy) Pearson, both of North Vernon; daughters, Deanna (Chuck Robbins) Lee of Taylorsville and Betty (Roger) Owens of North Vernon; brothers, Raymond (Sharon) Pearson and John Pearson, both of North Vernon; sister, Ruth Ann Bird of North Vernon; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Lisa Davidson; brothers, Fred and Bill Pearson; and a sister, Agnes Gert Miller.

A funeral service for Buck will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon with the Rev. Jimmy Kuntz and Rev. W. Sherman Beville officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Burial will follow in the Baldwin Cemetery in Vernon.

Memorials may be made in honor of Buck through the funeral home to Christ Baptist Church.

In compliance with CDC COVID-19 guidelines, only 50 people will be allowed in the funeral home at a time. Masks are mandatory. We thank our families for their continued cooperation during these difficult times as we strive to help keep our community safe.