Dennis L. “Denny” Pearson

Dennis L. "Denny" Pearson, 52, Sharpsville, died at 10:35 a.m. Monday, April 4, 2011 at IU Health Tipton Hospital. He was born October 27, 1958 in Elwood to Danny Wayne & Becki Sue (Alley) Pearson and lived in Elwood until 1978. On April 29, 1978 he married Kim E. Fuller and she survives.

Denny was a Deputy with the Tipton County Sheriff's Department, a position he had held since 2005. He had served as a Reserve Deputy starting in 2004. Prior to joining the department Denny had worked at FMC Corporation, the Tipton Fire Department, Noblesville Fire Department, Renewed Performance Incorporated and served as the pastor of the Curtisville Christian Church and later the Hazel Dell Friends Church from 1995-2005.

He was a 1977 graduate of Elwood Community High School and graduated from the Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, Tennessee in 1995. Denny was an ordained minister in the Separate Baptist Association. He was a member of the BPOE 368 in Elwood, the FOP, Indiana Sheriff's Association, National Rifle Association and was a former member of the Tipton Moose. Denny was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He played softball for many years on several different teams.

Survivors besides his wife Kim include one son, Dustin Pearson and wife Joni, Windfall and one daughter, Darci Rhoades and husband Trent, Sharpsville; seven grandchildren, Chloe, Layla, Elsie and Wilbur Pearson, Jalen, Dylan and Wyatt Rhoades with another grandchild expected in May; his parents Danny & Becki of Elwood; one brother, Brian Pearson and wife Barb, Elwood and his grandmother, Mildred Pearson of Elwood. Denny also leaves behind a large extended family of in-laws and many close friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 12:00 noon on Saturday, April 9 at the Rock Prairie Baptist Church, 421 Ash Street, Tipton with Pastor Kevin Carr presiding. Burial will follow in Nevada Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday and from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Saturday, all at the church. An Elks memorial service will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tipton County Sheriff's Department, 121 W. Madison Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072 for its DARE Program or the National Rifle Association of America, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030.

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.