Joseph Frederick Dutton

Joe was born on October 11, 1930, to Joseph and Mary Dutton. He was lovingly raised by his aunt and uncle, Gladys and E. Lee Mendenhall, in Beech Grove, Indiana. In August 1962, he married Nancy McCullough, beginning a marriage that spanned more than six decades.

A lifelong educator, Joe graduated from Beech Grove High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in English from Butler University. After serving two years in the U.S. Army, he began his teaching career in 1955 at George Washington High School in Indianapolis. From 1956 to 1961, he also taught freshman English in Butler University's evening division. In 1961, he was named chairman of the English Department at George Washington High School.

In 1966, Joe moved to Columbus to become chairman of the English Department at Columbus High School. When Columbus East High School opened in 1971, he became chairman of its English Department, a position he held until retiring in 1996 after more than 40 years in education.

Joe received numerous honors throughout his career, including the Edna V. Folger Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1986. He was also one of the first two educators inducted into the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation Education Hall of Fame in 1985.

Joe is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughter, Jane Dutton of Bloomington, Indiana; his son, Jeff Dutton (Lisa) of Columbus; his granddaughter, Masha Dutton (partner Riley Cortez) of Greenwood, Indiana; nieces Barbara Babbitt (Larry) of Mooresville, Indiana, Susan Burford of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and JoEllen Guess of Chandler, Arizona; as well as many other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, including Stephanie Seremet (Eric) of Fishers, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Betty Bernardi of Indianapolis and Dorothy Shugart of El Paso, Texas.

Joe lived a life of service to others. Beyond the classroom, he devoted many hours to volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the Hot Meals program at First United Methodist Church, where he had been a faithful member since 1966. After retirement, he continued serving his community as a volunteer with the Columbus Visitors Center, where he shared his love of the city's unique architecture by leading guided tours.

If you knew Joe, you knew a genuinely kind and gentle man whose quiet warmth left a lasting impression. He found joy in life's simple pleasures: scraping paint around the house, grilling hamburgers, watching Masterpiece Theatre, and spending time with a good book. He was an exceptional cook, husband, father and grandfather.

Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. A celebration of life/open house for Joe will be held Saturday, August 15, from 2-4pm at Four Seasons Retirement Community in Columbus.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church of Columbus or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Four Seasons Health Center and Our Hospice during Joe's final months. Your kindness and compassion will never be forgotten.