Dennis Gene Bratton was born on April Fools’ Day, 1951, along with his twin sister, Debra Gaye, on the Northeast side of Indianapolis Indiana, near Castleton.
Dennis attended school at Castleton Elementary and Belzer Junior High School, graduating from Lawrence Central High School in 1969.
He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from IUPUI in 1975.
He began working at 14 years of age, selling cokes at the Indianapolis 500. He went on to work at various jobs, including the Southside TeePee and Devonshire Mobil Service Station, before beginning a lifelong career as a carpenter and then as a successful builder. He was well known for his quality craftsmanship as a custom builder and remodeler throughout the Indianapolis area. His beautifully constructed homes can be viewed in many subdivisions in the North side of Indianapolis, and he leaves behind many customers and employees who speak highly of him, the lessons he taught them, about building and about life, and of the quality of his work.
Dennis was a generous caretaker of his family from the time he was a young man, providing his parents and siblings with funds, housing, and work when they needed it, caring for his mother and sister financially until their deaths in 2007 and 2008.
He was married originally in 1971 and became a father to three children, Andrea Elizabeth, Christopher Ashley, and Gregory Nicholas. He was remarried to Celestine Donnelly in 2004.
Dennis was a loving father, grandfather, brother, son and friend. He was known for his humour, his integrity and generosity, and his ability to fill a room with his wide, expansive presence, regaling all who knew him with his entertaining stories and tall tales.
He developed a love of flying and owned two planes, taking friends and family members on many trips through the Midwest and the Southeastern states for over 30 years.
Dennis obtained a double lung transplant on his 60th birthday in 2011. The transplant gave him 7 additional years with his family.
He celebrated and loved his life. He spent the last few months greeting and entertaining a steady stream of visitors who came to say their goodbyes and pay their respects.
Dennis leaves behind a loving wife, Celestine Donnelly, two children, Andrea (and son-in-law, Christopher) Bonham, Gregory Bratton, and two step sons, Colin (and daughter-in- law Shelby) Sipe, and Samuel Sipe.
Dennis has five grandchildren who will miss him dearly: Lyris, age 17, Thea, age 13, Gala, age 6, Harrison, age 4 and Coraline, age 2.
He is preceeded in death by his son, Christopher Ashley, his parents, Marion Gene and Bervelee Jean Bratton, and his twin sister, Debra.
He is survived by two siblings, Ruliff Allan Bratton, of Naples, Florida, and Tricia Ellen Bratton, of Glossop, England, a host of nieces and nephews and cousins, and a wide circle of loving and heartbroken friends.
A memorial service will be held 12 p.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1660 Kessler Blvd. E. Dr. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Indiana Donor Network,
Tarin Bickford says
Tricia and family- I am so sorry for your loss. May you be comforted by family and friends during this difficult time.
Claudia Dobkins Dikinis says
Dear Tricia and family, my deepest condolences for the loss of your dear brother. I remember Dennis and all of your family so well. We grew up together. I’m sad to learn about Dennis’s passing away.
Glenn Wheeler says
I am a lifelong friend of Dennis’ sister Tricia and I remember well the days of old on 75th street when Dennis would drop by with then wife Nancy. In those days the household was hectic, people coming and going but Dennis brought a sense of calm and sanity to his parent’s home. I always admired him, his work ethic and the generosity he showed his family. I’m thankful the days of physical pain are behind for him and that he leaves behind a family and friends who will cherish the times they were all together.
Glenn Wheeler says
I am a lifelong friend of Dennis’ sister Tricia and I remember well the days of old on 75th street when Dennis would drop by with then wife Nancy. In those days the household was hectic, people coming and going but Dennis brought a sense of calm and sanity to his parent’s home. I always admired him, his work ethic and the generosity he showed his family. I’m thankful the days of physical pain are behind him and that he leaves a family and friends who will cherish the times they were all together.
Marsha Anderson says
John and I will always remember his vibrance for life and how his humor filled a room. He was a master craftsman not only in his profession but also in his personal relationships with others. He will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt sentiments to Cy, Andrea, Greg ,his grandchildren,
and the many other relatives and friends whose lives he touched. John and Marsha Anderson
Pam Dusendschon says
Dennis will be missed. He was always good for a laugh. Thoughts and prayers for Tricia, Allan and all members of his family.
pennymroberson@gmail.com says
I will never forget Dennis for his wit, common sense and courage. Penny Roberson
Jane Wolf says
Dennis is now at peace and will not suffer any pain. We are all very fortunate to have wonderful memories which are eternal Please know that my thought and prayers are with all his family and friends. Jane Miller Wolf
Jane Wolf says
Dennis is not in pain and he will have no more suffering We are all fortunate to have our memories of Dennis and they are eternal Please know all of his family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers
Becky Bracken Schuneman says
Tricia, so sorry for your loss. I remember Dennis well being a Castleton grade school person myself and also living on 75th street. Thanks for posting this information about Dennis.
Lisa Zack says
Dennis and I spent many good times together throughout the years, starting at Castleton elementary school. I have wonderful memories of Dennis and it was a joy to see him at our reunions and dinners at George’s. He is now at peace.
Shirley Sheridan James says
I am very sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family!
Shirley Sheridan James
chuck leigh says
I am so sorry to hear of his death. He was always so very good to his family. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.
Kathe Curtiss Weinkauf says
I am stunned. I pray for peace for his soul and peace for the family I have known since kindergarten.
Kathe Curtiss Weinkauf
Kathy Gosser says
Dennis was a a part of the Honda of Fishers family and we are so grateful for all that he did for us. He will surely be missed. May his family find peace and comfort. Kathy and Doug Gosser and Honda of Fishers
Rick Sherwood says
To the immediate family of Dennis, very sorry for your loss.
Paul Reinken says
To Cy, Allan and Tricia, as you probably know, i am heartsick hearing that Dennis has passed and want to share my condolences. I also want to include my thoughts to Scott, and Joe. I have hundreds of stories and memories of Dennis as we became best friends at an early age. It wasn’t long after that that we met Joe, and then Scott moved here as well. We embodied the 60’s movement with sport, music and party, always finding tremendous humor in all of it. I think it fitting to share the story on how we met. We were 10 years old and playing little league baseball on the same team, when Dennis was called out on strike three by the umpire. Well, Dennis had a short fuse, after depositing the bat about 20′ away, he erupted in a flurry of language directed at the umpire that would make a sailer blush. Over the loud speaker, father Gene’s voice exploded letting Dennis know to zip it and sit. Sitting next to me on the bench still steaming, I told him he took a great swing when he through the bat! We looked at each other and started laughing, quickly becoming best friends for the next several years. Although, there have been many gaps in our relationship over the years, whenever we would get together we caught up very quickly. So many of us are very lucky to have the many memories of Dennis, a man with great character and a big heart!
Merrilee Keller says
While I didn’t know him directly I was a close friend of brother Alan. My sympathies to his family. He has now left behind a wonderful legacy.
Patti Reese says
I want to send Allan and Tricia my love and condolences for their loss of Dennis and also all of his family. He was one of the really good ones,and I believe that now he’s in a better place.
I was part of the “chaos” at the Bratton home on 75th street. Think I spent as much time their during our high school days as I did at my house. I remember that we ( Timmie and Kathy Swent, Debra Tricia and I and all the girls) picked up the nick-name “sweat hogs” by the boys. I remember Dennis’ big big smile when we bantered with them. He’d turn his head look at his friends and shake his head then walk away. He was so short and little during high school. When I saw him 6 months after we graduated he grew a foot was so buff and tan. Took a picture of him with Dan Young and and Larry Trittipo and saved it for years! Still have it somewhere. Even though I haven’t seen him for many years I know from all the remarks here that he was a man with integrity, a work ethic, kindness and generosity and he will be greatly missed.