John Marshall Harlan

John Marshall Harlan, local prominent attorney, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at Friends Fellowship Community. He was born July 23, 1915, in East Germantown, Ind., to Denver and Lavene Caldwell Harlan and lived in Richmond and Wayne County most of his life. John was a direct descendent of a pioneer Wayne County family. He graduated from Morton High School, attended Earlham College and received his law degree from Indiana University. Committed to community and public service, John also had a passion for politics. He served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, State Representative and State Senator. While in the legislature, he authored a bill to create the Wayne Superior Court and authored and led the fight to abolish the fee system to pay public officials. He worked actively as an attorney at Harlan, Harlan, Schussler and Keller (later to become Boston, Bever, Klinge, Cross & Chidester) and was associated in the practice with his father, Denver C. Harlan, until his death in 1968. John retired from the practice at the age of 82. A constant through the years was John's love and pride in his hometown of Richmond. He was instrumental in the revitalization of the Wayne County Historical Museum where he served as President of the board 19 times. He donated his Ford Model T and helped secure several antique automobiles for the museum's automobile collection. He was also instrumental in convincing the state government to designate the Levi Coffin House as a state historic site. John also served as the President of the Indiana State Museum in the late 70's. He was a recipient of the Charles A. Rodefeld Award for leadership in Philanthropy and the Community in 1999. This was given in recognition of his many contributions of time, talent and financial support to promote and develop the Wayne County Foundation and endowment to the Wayne County Historical Museum. Besides his love for his family, his avid interest in antique cars and their restoration, a little known fact is that he was quite an avid fisherman in the 60's, catching a 41 pound 10 oz. Muskie in Canada where he received a special reward. John is survived by his wife, Petronella 'Pat' Henry Harlan; son, John 'Jack' and his wife Candace Harlan of Richmond; daughter, Jane and her husband David Gasch of Goodyear, Ariz.; son, James and his wife Deborah Harlan of Richmond; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He also leaves stepson, George Henry and his wife Beth of Columbus, Ohio; stepdaughters, Donna Reising and her husband Greg of Richmond and Maureen Grossman and her husband Danny of Bloomington; their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His first wife, Mary Peacock Harlan, preceded him in death in 1982. Public visitation for John Marshall Harlan will be from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2008, at First English Lutheran Church, 2727 National Road East, Richmond. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church with Pastor John Walker and Pastor Brian Derrer officiating. Burial will be at Earlham Cemetery. Doan & Mills Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wayne County Historical Museum, 1150 North A St., Richmond, IN 47374, or First English Lutheran Church, 2727 National Road East, Richmond, IN 47374, of which he was a member of both. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com

John Marshall Harlan

July 23, 1915 - April 16, 2008