Melba Janette Slunder, 78, of Princeton, passed away Monday, June 13, 2011 at Transcendent Health Care of Owensville.

Born July 23, 1932 in Gibson County, she was the daughter of Larkin and Frances (Waddle) Byrns.

She married Milton Grant Slunder on Dec. 12, 1952 in Greenville, SC.

Melba was a member of Union Mission Congregational Church, Ladies VFW Auxiliary and Eagles Auxiliary. She retired from GTE after 35 years, obtained her CNA certificate, and became manager at Busler in Evansville.

She is survived by her son, Danny Slunder of Princeton; daughter, Sharon (Ronnie) Riley of Princeton; brothers, Jim (Ruthie, a very special friend and sister-in-law) Byrns of Princeton, Lloyd Jr. Byrns of Princeton; sisters, Rosie and Carroll Davis of Owensville; four grandchildren, Michael A. (Rachel) Slunder, Tory Lauren (Jordan) Sturgeon, Talley (Jeremy Phelps) Wyatt and Jacob Daniel Wyatt; and five great-grandchildren, Breanna, Sara, Grant Slunder, Ava Sturgeon and Olivia Phelps.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Larkin and Frances Byrns; husband, Milton Slunder; grandson, Grant Jay Slunder; sister, Nadine Taylor; and special friend, Bob Lange.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011 at the chapel of Short Funeral Home in Mt. Carmel, Ill.with burial following the service at Highland Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, June 17, 2011 at Short Funeral Home, Mt. Carmel.