Mabel Josephine (Stanton) Matlock died at her home on August 15th, 2022, three weeks following the death of her beloved husband Richard "Dick" Otto Matlock. Mabel was born in Bloomington, Indiana to Thelma Josephine (Burch) Stanton and William Grover Stanton in 1930.  She was the first of twelve children in the family, helping to raise at least six of the babies before moving out and eventually beginning her own family.

While still a young girl in Cincinnati, Mabel took work at a young age, even saying she was older to qualify for work, to help support her parents and family.  She worked several places including a golf club factory and publishing house.  In 1952, Mabel married Richard and they began their life together in Bloomington, Indiana.  The reserved and careful Mabel brought balance to the more gregarious and driven Richard. Both found humor easily even in little things and shared laughter as much as any struggles and heartaches.  During one of their favorite pastimes playing Euchre, sometimes Richard would sneak a card or stack the deck to add fun to the game. Mabel always knew, called him on it, and usually won the hand anyway.  In Bloomington, Mabel worked for the Boy Scout's office, Indiana University's Bursar's Office, and was part of the wait staff for IU President's dinners.  Once Mabel and Dick went into the car business, Mabel pitched in to help in many ways.  One of her most notorious contributions was waking early in the morning and making fifty fried pork tenderloin sandwiches on Saturday mornings for everyone working or visiting at Matlock Ford in Franklin, Indiana.

All of her life, Mabel was thoroughly dedicated to her family and an excellent model of unconditional love.  Her first concern was always looking after babies and doing right by children.  In her later years, her greatest joy was to hold and admire her grandbabies and great-grandbabies.  In her heart, all the babies belonged to her.  A gentle woman filled with grace and kindness, Mabel will be dearly missed.

Mabel is survived by her four children and their spouses, Pamela (Matlock) and Norman Young of Whiteland, IN, Denise Marie Matlock of Franklin, IN, William "Rick" Richard and Julia Ann (Hensley) Matlock of Franklin, IN, Toni Nicole Matlock and Bruce Tribbensee of Missoula, Montana, her grandchildren Ted Young, Adam Michael Alexander, Travis Lee Young, Nicholas Matlock Alexander, Elana Marie Matlock, Elizabeth Ann Matlock, and Otto Fitch Tribbensee, and her great-grandchildren Trevor Young, Tyler Young, Trey Young, Evelyn Young, Hamilton Young, Flossie Mabel Alexander, Harmony Ellen Matlock, and Sylvie Nicole Alexander.  She is survived by three sisters Mary Louise (Stanton) Gille, Ruth Ann (Stanton) Henry, Doris Jean (Stanton) Mitchell, and her brother Dennis Eugene Stanton.

Mabel is preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Charles Richard Stanton, Patricia Maxine (Stanton) Hennegan, William Grover Stanton, William Thomas Stanton, Ray Mason Stanton, George Edward Stanton, and Russell Lee Stanton.

A private graveside service will be held in Mabel's honor at Greenlawn Cemetery and a Celebration of Life yet to be planned later in the autumn.  In lieu of flowers, the family encourages your support of Voices for Children, CASA, 18 West Jefferson Street, Franklin, IN 46131 or at www.casajohnsonco.org . Swartz Family Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, 300 South U.S. 31, (Morton Street) in Franklin, IN is handling the arrangements.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.swartzmortuary.com .  Information at 317-738-0202.