Memorial Service for Carole Deptula, 80, of Nacogdoches will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, March 15, 2026 at Fairview Methodist. Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00pm prior to the service.
Mrs. Deptula passed away on March 7, 2026 in Nacogdoches. She was born on July 30, 1945 in Chicago, IL to Marion and Bertha Mathews.
Being born in Chicago, to a mother who sang nursery rhymes and practiced piano throughout her childhood, Carole developed an extensive love of music. She began formal piano lessons in the 4th grade and in high school, won a piano concerto contest, performed with DuPage Symphony and began playing the viola. Due to her accomplishments in music, she was offered a scholarship to the American Conservatory in Chicago but ultimately turned them down and attended Ambassador College in Pasadena, California, later finishing college in Big Sandy, Texas. During these years, her life was filled with recitals, voice study, accompanying the choir and she also met the love of her life. She and Walter Deptula were joined in marriage on October 27, 1968. Following college, Carole and Walter relocated to East Texas to continue his piano tuning career. In 1976, they opened a Kawai piano dealership and full-line music store in Nacogdoches and Carole began teaching violin and piano in her home studio. Carole also earned her Master degree in 1998 from Stephen F. Austin State University. She accompanied the NHS choir for four years, taught strings in Kilgore, Tyler, Marshall and Sulphur Springs as well as music history and theory at Angelina College. Although her life was full, Carole loved nothing more than raising their four children and watching them develop their own love for the art of music. Upon retirement, Carole was able to enjoy the benefits of her musical interests, playing and singing at Fairview Methodist Church, Oak Manor Nursing Home, Nacogdoches Treatment Center, New Hope Singers, Raguet Strings, Project String Power in Carthage, Heart of the Pines Chorus, SFA Cello Club, East Texas Praise Symphony, Lufkin Community Band and a string quartet performing at weddings. Heart of Pines Chorus held a special place in her life and heart, because it provided a remarkable sisterhood along with the music of the Sweet Adelines, which was Carole’s favorite.
Carole is survived by her loving husband of more than 57 years, Walter Deptula; children, Austin Deptula & wife Bethany, Benji Deptula, Jonathan Deptula & wife Anastacia and Kimberly Jacobs & husband, Dexter and her precious grandchildren, Mathew, Abrielle, Eliana, Malakai, Rowan, Aridaia, Kaylee and Jennea.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Marion Miles and Bertha Merkner Mathews and her brother, Freddie Mathews.
