Joshua Allen Deaton, of Petoskey, MI, age 31, passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2021. He was born August 5, 1989 in Middletown, OH, the son of James Deaton and Connie (Kunz) Sroufe. He was a 2007 Chelsea High School graduate. He enjoyed playing basketball, golfing, snowboarding, running, hiking, and working out. He attended Central Michigan University and Michigan State University, studying human biology and economics. Joshua had lived in Petoskey for the past year, where worked for Matt Bell (MB Roofing). Josh had also previously lived in Sarasota, FL.

He is survived by his parents, Mike and Connie Sroufe, James Deaton, and Beth McNutt; siblings: Katie Sroufe, Alex Sroufe, Ashley McNutt, and Austin Deaton; grandparents: Julius and Jill Josupeit-Kunz, Marlene Kunz, Gary and Louise Sroufe; aunts and uncles: Mark and Fay Greer, Allan and Terri Christensen, Justin and Katherine Kunz-Pauls, Don and Lisa Manning; as well as several great-aunts, great-uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Kenneth and Wanda Deaton, great-grandparents: Eugene and Fay Miller, Julius and Sophia “Sonja” Kunz, Stanley and Evelyn McQuinn, Bradie and Nellie Tucker, George and Betty Sroufe, Carrol and Helen Brenneman.

A public visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at St. Mary Catholic Church, 14200 E. Old US 12, Chelsea. Funeral directors are following current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for COVID-19, those attending will be instructed accordingly, and masks must be worn. Mass will be private. Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in Joshua’s name may do so to St. Mary Catholic Church, in memo, put Flint Mission. Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea.

Please click here to watch his Funeral Mass