Melanie Ruth Katte Banning Gunder was born in Richmond, Indiana on January 29, 1941, to Helen and Leonard Katte. Melanie was one of twelve children, with sisters Marjory Killen, Alice Spencer, Charlotte Keesling, Deborah Kirtley, and brother, Robert White, who are all still alive and kicking. Aunt Chicky, as she was lovingly called by nieces and nephews is too extensive to list and is scattered like the stars of the universe.

Melanie was preceded in death by several loved ones, and most importantly the love of her life, US Army SFC David Gunder (dod – May 11, 1973). She raised three amazing sons all of the varying personalities and traits and states, and they are as follows: David (aka Joe) Banning (wife Carolyn) of Tennessee, Byron (aka Randy) of Texas, and Dax (wife Morgan) of Alaska. Melanie's greatest possessions were her grandchildren: Rachel, Hanna, Dawn, Eli, Sydny, Drake, Josslin, Marleigh, and great-grandchildren Lyla and Lily.

Melanie was the wife other wives should strive to be if they truly love their husbands. Widowed for over 49 years there was only one man in her life besides her husband and that was Jesus Christ. We know without a doubt she is sitting at the right hand of the Father with her beloved husband and those she loved and missed most.

In Melanie's younger days she was a beer-drinking, euchre playing, cussing, no crap taking dances floor diva nearly every weekend at the Richmond Eagles and Moose. Her friends could always rely on her for whatever they needed, and most of her sons' friends called her Mom. She treated them like her own, fed them, clothed them, and even loaned them money. So for all of you that haven't made good on that loan, PAY UP! We need party money to celebrate her life like she would have wanted us to.

She will be sadly missed by all, but in the words of Winnie the Pooh, "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."

Please no flowers or plants, traveling with them will be difficult. However, prayers, words of encouragement, hugs, the wiping of tears, the telling of stories, and loving one another as Melanie / Mom loved you all will be greatly appreciated. A tip jar will be sitting next to the coffin for those who insist.

Services will be 1:00 PM Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home; burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Friends may call from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stegallberheideorr.com