Nellie Wandalee Pulliam Dalton was born July 5, 1920 in Newton, IL where she lived with her parents and older sister until moving to Plainfield, IN. She started elementary school and in Plainfield and her younger sister was born there.
Wanda graduated from Ben Davis High School in spring of 1937 and was in the freshman class at Indiana University, Bloomington that fall. At IU Wanda was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and it was in Bloomington that she met "the love of her life". William Bruce Dalton. She and Bruce were married on June 9, 1940; Bruce had just enlisted in the US Army. Their only child, David Bruce Dalton, was born in Bloomington on December 30, 1944. They moved to Columbus, IN in 1949 when Bruce (with the help of his partner Cliff Payne) opened Dalton & Payne Men's Clothing Store on Washington Street in Columbus. Wanda, who studied business and accounting at IU, became the accountant for the store.
Even though doing the books for the store kept Wanda very busy, she was always active in clubs and organizations in Columbus. She loved to play Bridge and played in both couples Bridge clubs and Womens Bridge clubs. She loved all kinds of games and puzzles including crossword puzzles which she continued to do all her life.
She and Bruce took up ballroom dancing in the early 1960s and later, especially in their "snow bird" life in Florida, they Square Danced as often as they could.
Wanda is survived by her grandchildren William Bruce Dalton (Bill) and Amanda Dalton Rees and by 7 great-grandchildren: James Dalton Williams, Benjamin David Williams, Nicholas William Dalton, Jacob Thomas Dalton, Abigail Marie Dalton, Jillian Abigail Rees and Audrey Diane Rees. Her Granddaughter Abigail Diane Dalton Williams, her husband Bruce, and her son David Bruce Dalton pre deceased her as did her siblings Aleta Pulliam Johnson and Marilyn Pullman.
A memorial service for Wanda will be held Sunday, September 18 at 2 p.m. at Myers-Reed Chapel. In keeping with her wishes, Wanda will be laid to rest during a private family graveside service at Garland Brook Mausoleum.
To share a fond memory of Wanda or leave a condolence for the family, visit www.Myers-Reed.com.
Myers-Reed is assisting the Dalton family.
