Rev. Chelsie Elizabeth Deaton passed away peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by family, on August 3, 2024, after more than a seven-month battle with Leukemia. Chelsie was born February 17, 1987, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Rev. Wilson and Robin (Evans) Deaton. While still a toddler, her family moved to Michigan where she spent most of her childhood. In 2000, her family moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin.
She attended high school at Kenosha’s, Indian Trail Academy, and graduated Valedictorian in 2005. She then went to Mid-America Nazarene University, in Olathe, Kansas, where she made truly lifelong friends whom she greatly cherished. In 2009 she received a Bachelor of Arts in preparation for a life of ministry.
After graduation, she returned to Wisconsin, took a temporary job with Modine Manufacturing and began volunteering at Kenosha Family Church—A Church of the Nazarene, where her dad pastored. Eventually, she was officially put on staff as an associate pastor. In 2014, she was ordained an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Soon after, she was promoted to the role of co-pastor, where she served for six years. During those years, she served in several capacities for the district (statewide) body of the Church of the Nazarene including as President of the youth auxiliary and then as Director of Women’s Ministries. After resigning from Kenosha Family Church, while waiting to see what God had for her next, she joined the staff at United Way of Racine County.
She had a voracious appetite for reading and enjoyed painting with acrylics. She was also an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, was proud to be an owner, and, along with a college roommate, attended at least one game per season (alternating between Lambeau Field and road games) with a goal of seeing the Packers play every other team. This plan gave her the opportunity to travel and see new places which she also loved. She remained very close to her family and spent many evenings sharing dinner with her brother and their cats.
Chelsie brought love, joy, creativity, and energy to everything she did. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” (Psalm 115:16)
She is survived by her parents, Wilson and Robin Deaton; her brother, Landon Reese Deaton; grandparents, Fred and Bonnie Evans; aunts and uncles, Betty (Jim) Thomas, Debbie (Tim Horne) Crawley, Fred (Julie) Evans; cousins, James Thomas, Kristin Diamond, Stephanie Fisher, Sara Lipski, Alex Evans, and Ashley Elam. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Wilson and Nannie Deaton.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Proko Funeral Home 5111 60th St., Kenosha, WI, on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. There will be an opportunity for visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. All the guests are invited to join the family after the service for a luncheon.
