Guylia L. Bunge, age 86, died on Feb. 10, 2022 while wintering with her family in Florida.
The only child of Guy and Lucille M. Smith, she was born Dec. 31, 1935. She graduated from Helmsburg High School in 1953 and later commuted to downtown Indianapolis, where she had a brief secretarial career.
She married her sweetheart, Philip R. (Joe) Bunge on Jan. 2, 1955. They spent 57 years together at the house they designed and built in the “suburbs of Helmsburg”.
Philip expressed a desire to be a long-haul truck driver. Guylia responded, “Not if you want to marry me!” so he decided to build houses for many residents of Brown County including countless families and friends throughout his career. She helped by painting and picking up supplies.
Once she was asked about building houses, “Did you make a lot of money?” She responded, “We made a good living helping others establish their homes.”
Philip died on Dec. 4, 2013, and surely greeted Guylia at the pearly gates of Heaven.
As a member of Unity Baptist Church her whole life, she served in all aspects of church life. From Sunday School, Bible study, BYF, and VBS teacher, historian, and custodian to ABW Ministries on the local and state level, Guylia was involved.
She would tape posters on the wall at an angle to draw more attention to the announcement or scripture. She chaired the statewide Sr. Adult Day that brought more than 800 to ‘This Place Called Unity’ on a blessed October Saturday. Whether making chili for a fund-raiser, providing skillet dinner for a shut-in, or baking pie crust for communion, Guylia shared her kitchen gifts.
For many years, the Bunges took great care in the church cemetery maintenance. This past December, Guylia was thankful to visit and oversee the placement of holiday decorations on the graves of her loved ones at Unity Baptist and Bear Creek cemeteries.
Since 1987, Guylia treasured her annual ‘snow bird’ seasons on the Okeechobee canal. It was here that she went to sleep and woke up in Heaven.
With her distinctive handwriting, she journaled about the joys of everyday life in their travels to all 50 states — four times to Alaska. Guylia would send handmade cards to friends and family, often ending with “In memory of the One who…” Her favorite valediction was, “In memory of the One who gives us every good and perfect gift.”
Her children and their spouses, Loretta Kay and David Woodrum, David Michael Bunge, and Robin Lee and Tim Nolin all received love, guidance, and support which was grounded in her Christian faith. Eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and oldest dearest friends, Max and Veda Schrougham, will also mourn the loss of a woman who saw Elvis twice in concert, was accidentally shot by her dad 80 years ago, and was a skilled bowler on a team named, The Battle Axes.
Memorial donations can be sent to the Unity Cemetery Association, 5323 S. Lick Creek Road, Morgantown, IN 46160.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home in Morgantown.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be made to the Bunge family at meredith-clark.com
