Dallas Wade Deaton

Dallas Wade Deaton, 90, of Mooresville, IN, woke up in Heaven on February 20, 2026. He was born April 30, 1935, in East Bernstadt, KY, one of eight children of Hobert and Myrtle Deaton.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Mattie Mae Deaton; his children, Shirley Sprague (Michael), Gary Deaton, and Marsha Brown (Roen); and his grandchildren, Jason Coleman, Mark Coleman, Stephen Spence (Kalee), Matthew Spence (Emmylou), Kreig Higgins (Skylar), Daniel Sprague (Amber), Jordan Sprague (Allison), Mckenzie Kutemeier (Alex), Kylea Utterback (Justin), Danielle McCreery (Morgan), Gary  Deaton Jr., Emma Faulkenberg (Dylan), Lacey Hawley (Chase), and Josey Brown  (Mike Holder). He also had 19 step and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Hobart Deaton, Charlotte McTarsey, Robert Deaton, Dence Deaton, Jack Deaton, and Joy Beasley; his daughter, Anita Coleman, and his grandson, Devin Wade Deaton.

Dallas moved to Indiana to find work as a 17-year-old in 1952. After various jobs, he found his two long-term callings: serving as the steady patriarch of his family on the Deaton family compound on Henderson Ford Road and dedicating 47 years of faithful work to General Motors Truck and Bus in Indianapolis.

We will remember Dallas for his stubborn but steady love of family, his deep faith in the Lord, his bountiful garden, and his storytelling jokes.

Dallas and Mattie were married in 1957 and raised four children. They were quick to say “HUH” and butt heads, and just as quick to laugh at each other’s stories. They were the two best Euchre players you could find – if they could survive playing a game together without arguing about Dallas trying to make a loaner on 9/10/Left. His trademark smirk when he often pulled it off won’t be forgotten.

Dallas and his family have been members of the Mooresville Free Methodist Church faithfully from 1968 until his passing. Despite only completing the eighth grade, he read the Bible cover to cover countless times. His faith and love for the Lord shaped his life and gave us peace in his passing.

Dallas was known for his storytelling jokes. He always had one ready to carry us through difficult moments, and he kept his wit sharp enough that he rarely retold one where you still remembered the punch line. He loved sharing his jokes with his McDonald’s and Hardee’s friends and his brother, Donald Deaton, who survives him as well.

Following his retirement from General Motors, Dallas carefully tended the garden that produced delicious sweet corn, blackberries, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, zucchini, and more. He generously shared with friends and family, and his hard work on the Deaton family compound will not be forgotten.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Sunday, March 1^st from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory. Dallas’s Life Celebration® service will immediately follow, beginning at 4:00 pm at the Funeral Home. His earthly remains will be cremated following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Mooresville Free Methodist Church. Contributions may be made using the envelopes provided at the funeral home.

Dallas leaves behind a legacy of faith, perseverance, laughter, and enduring love – his soul rests in heaven, his memory lives with us eternally.

Visit www.carlislebranson.com to sign the online guest registry or to share a memory.