Robert "Dean" Choate

Robert” Dean” Choate, 88, passed from this life on Sunday evening, August 13, 2023, at Morrison Woods Health Care Center following an extended illness.  He was born the son of Amber Thomas Choate and Ruby Alice (Smith) Choate Muncey on June 30, 1935, in Jamestown, Tennessee.  Dean spent, along with his mother and brother, Dr. Kenneth Dale Choate, his first several years of life happily residing at his grandparents, Alfred B. and Freela Pearl (Beaty) Smith on their farm on Round Top Mountain in Fentress County, Tennessee.  Later Dean’s mother moved her family to Cincinnati, Ohio then on to Muncie, Indiana.

Dean graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1953.  During high school, he met the love of his life, Margaret Ann (Huffman) Choate while they were both working at the Rivoli Theater, they were married in 1954.  They enjoyed over 60 years of marriage together while raising their family.  Dean was heartbroken when Margaret fell ill and passed in 2016.

  Dean was employed at Indiana Steel & Wire Corp for 43 years prior to his retirement in 1998.  He enjoyed bowling in several leagues and played softball and as a previous high school wrestler enjoyed watching his sons and grandsons wrestle (plus he enjoyed wrestling with them proving he still knew his moves).  Dean also like to tinker with electronics, was handy with car repairs, and enjoyed various types of music along with movies.

Dean’s survivors include three sons and one daughter: Edward Choate (Diana), and Ryan T. Choate, both of Muncie; and Jeff D. Choate, Anderson; 1 daughter, Janice Choate-Zavakos (Clinton), Honolulu, Hawaii; Nine grandchildren; Christopher (Kate) Choate, Kalen (Nic) Jeffers, Clint (Rachel) Zavakos, Christian Zavakos, Renee Zavakos, Corrianne Durrett, Logan Choate, Austin Choate and Brittany Choate. Eight great-grandchildren: Drayton Choate, Callie Jeffers, Ellie Jeffers, Lorelei Durrett, Maxwell Durrett, Oliver Durrett, William Durrett, and Emmett Durrett. Plus, several nieces and nephews.8 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Besides Dean’s wife, Margaret, of 62 years, he was preceded in death by two children, Cheryl L. (Choate) Durrett, and Andrew D. Choate; two grandchildren Chase E. Zavakos and Kyle A. Durrett; his parents Amber Thomas Choate and Ruby (Smith) Choate Muncey; his siblings on his mother’s side Beverly Jean Muncey, Dr. Kenneth Dale Choate, Raymond A. Muncey, Pamela (Muncey) Spoonemore and Patricia (Muncey) Walden along with a number of siblings on his father’s side.

A Private Family Memorial service will be held for Robert on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 1:00 P.M. at Parson Mortuary.  Pastor Nancy Hunt will be officiating the Service.  Friends may call at Parson Mortuary on Monday, September 11, 2023, from 12:00 pm until the time of Service.  

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made to the family in care of www.parsonmortuary.com.

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