Rev. John Deyton

The Rev. John Herbert Deyton, 86, of Fairview Drive, passed away Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, at Hinkle Hospice House. A celebration of life service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday at Yadkin College United Methodist Church in Lexington by the Rev. Eckwood Lancaster and Dr. Jim Martin. A private graveside service will follow. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. The Rev. Deyton was born July 24, 1926, in Rutherford County to Herbert Clarence Deyton and Katy Jane Womack Deyton. He graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College and Duke Divinity School. The Rev. Deyton was a retired United Methodist minister of the Western N.C. Conference and had served several churches, including most recently 14 years at Yadkin College United Methodist Church. He had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Doris Sigmon Deyton; three brothers; son-in-law Ronnie Greer; and great-grandson Samuel Greer. Surviving are one daughter, Judy Greer, of Valdese; two sons, John Herbert Deyton Jr. and wife Janice of Kernersville; Jack Lambert Deyton and wife Joanna of Lexington; five grandchildren, Jeffrey Greer and wife Stephanie of Matthews, Anna Deyton of Charleston, S.C., Mary Jane Deyton of Blacksburg, Va., Jason Deyton of Greenville and Hallie Deyton of Chapel Hill; and two great-grandchildren, James and Jocelyn Greer of Matthews; and a sister, Louise Napper of Rock Hill, S.C. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Yadkin College United Methodist Church, 465 Center Church Road, Lexington, NC 27295; or Hinkle Hospice House, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292.