COLUMBUS
Mabel Elizabeth Tatlock, 95, of Columbus, died February 13, 2023, after succumbing to Alzheimer’s disease.
She was born in 1927 to James and Ethel Buehler in North Vernon. James worked as a locomotive engineer for the B&O Railroad. Before marriage, Ethel worked as a nanny; and then, as a homemaker; she sold her own pies.
Mabel graduated as valedictorian from St. Mary’s Catholic School, which taught grades one through eight, in 1941, and from North Vernon High School four years later. While in high school, she briefly dated Pat O’Connor, who later died racing in the Indianapolis 500. Her first job was preparing carbonated drinks and ice cream at a soda fountain in a drug store, a position known as ‘soda jerk.’ During WWII, she worked at Camp Atterbury in- and out-processing servicemembers returning from and departing for active duty.
In 1948, Mabel married Carroll (Tat) Tatlock, in North Vernon. A few years later, the couple moved to Columbus, where Tat found employment at a car dealership, and Mabel worked for Cummins as a secretary. Together, they saved enough money to construct a house with the oversight of Tat’s father, Ray, in 1951.
Mabel and Tat eventually saved enough to purchase their own business, a Gulf service station located at the corner of Highways 31 and 46. While Tat fixed cars and pumped gas, Mabel kept the books and managed the finances. And after her children were all in school, Mabel worked part-time as a bookkeeper and receptionist for Columbus Medical Lab throughout the 1980s.
Mabel and Tat were a genuine love story. The couple took ball room dancing lessons with a group of friends, and they were constantly cutting the rug at home, in the neighbor’s garage, and at any local dance hall they could find. Watching them dance always brought a smile, as Mabel was only five feet tall, and Tat towered at six foot three.
Mabel was also an inveterate jokester who never failed to lighten the mood. But she didn’t want to grab the spotlight; she always laughed at your jokes, too, even the clunkers. Mabel simply loved the sound of laughter, and the sound of her laughter will long be remembered.
Like her father, Mabel was a staunch Catholic, and she sent her children to St. Bartholomew and St. Columba. Each week, the whole crew would don their Sunday best to attend mass. (The reward of Sap’s Donuts afterward didn’t hurt.). Mabel also volunteered at St. Columba as a writer for the weekly flyer.
After Tat passed away, Mabel advertised herself as a nanny in the flyer, and found a young couple who brought with them a joyous experience. Mabel, whose heart, and capacity for love, far exceeded her tiny stature, loved her second family as much as her own.
Mabel was preceded in death by her husband; daughter Amy Neumayer; brother Edward; sister Nora Jean Leach; and step-granddaughter Nicole Ankney. Survivors include her daughter Catherine (Michael) O’Brien; sons Joseph (Jane) and Christopher; five step-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 p.m. (Noon) Saturday, February 18, 2023 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church with Father Clem Davis officiating. Calling will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday at the church. Mabel will be laid to rest beside her husband Carroll at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Arrangements were entrusted to Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.
