Ralph Everett Gunnett passed away in his home Saturday, September 6, 2014 surrounded by his family and friends after a 15 month battle with Lung Cancer. Ralph was born January 27, 1956 in Mishawaka to William and Dorothy Irene (Handley) Gunnett. On April 18, 1974, he married his high school sweetheart, Sherry Lynn McKelvey in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Sherry survives, along with their children, Bill (Leahann) Gunnett and Dave (Valerie) Gunnett, both of Mishawaka, and Tracy (Nolan) Reed of Clarksville, Tennessee. Also surviving are four grandchildren; Devin Gunnett and Kaitlyn Gunnett, of Mishawaka and Sydney Reed and Connor Reed, of Clarksville, Tennessee. Surviving as well is his father William and his siblings, John (Cindy) Gunnett of Osceola, Becky (Mike) Miller of Hammond, Indiana, Connie (John) Neace of Mishawaka, Tina (Maurice) Wentland of Elkhart, Diana (Bryan) Smith of Mishawaka, and his step brother Pat (Mary) Coberly of Hoopeston, Illinois. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews that he cared about and was always willing to make time for, and two foreign exchange students, Vera Souza Terecin of Belem, Brazil, and Marisol Garcia of Santiago, Chile. Ralph was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy I. Paulus, and his step-mother Jean Gunnett.
Ralph served his country honorably in the US Army 1st Infantry Division, Ft. Riley Kansas from 1974- 1977. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, he was employed by River City Heating, HVAC, and most recently worked in the RV industry as a painter at Monaco, Navistar in Wakarusa. He was also a member of Granger Community Church.
Ralph was a loving husband to his wife of forty years and the best father for his three children. He loved and cherished his grandkids. He was proud of them all. He would always say, "I know you aren''t supposed to brag about your grandkids, but" and then proceed to tell a story about whatever the grandkids had done, whether it was playing a good football game, running a race, writing stories, or even the climbing fiascos of the 2 year old. He loved his family, his parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He rarely walked out the door without chatting with a neighbor. Ralph never met a stranger and was a friend to all.
Going to work every day was a joy for Ralph. He enjoyed being with his friends and coworkers. One of his favorite things to do was grilling chicken to take to work, or sometimes biscuits and gravy. He kept everyone on their toes because they never knew what he would say or do next to get people laughing. He tried to bring a smile to everyone''s face. If someone was grouchy or having a bad day, it would be his goal to make them smile.
Ralph also enjoyed his hobbies. For many years he ran in demolition derbies. Summers were spent working on cars, and then giving the kids cans of spray paint to decorate his car. Ralph painted cars and motorcycles. He built birdhouses, wood carvings, and made custom painted cornhole boards. He always had something going on in the garage.
For many years, Ralph would dress up like Santa Claus and ride with Mrs. Claus and the South Bend HOG Chapter to deliver toys for the Marine''s Toys for Tots. He enjoyed doing anything for charities. He did motorcycle rides and walks for the MDA, Riley''s Children''s Hospital, Hospice, Down''s syndrome, Fallen Heroes, Breast Cancer, MS, Shop with a Cop and many more. Every year he participated in the American Cancer Society''s Relay for Life in Mishawaka.
The last 15 months of Ralph''s life were spent receiving treatments at Michiana Hematology Oncology. He found a way to even make that pleasant. He loved his Doctor, Rafat Ansari, and all the nurses at the office. He actually enjoyed his visits for Chemo. He always went in with a cheerful attitude and would say he was doing okay, even when he wasn''t. He never complained. He was such a good patient and enjoyed making the nurses smile. He took them Jumbo Jelly Beans, and called them his Angels.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Osceola. There will also be visitation one and a half hours prior to the 6:30 pm funeral service on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Chapel Hill.
In his memory, donations may be made to Relay for Life of Mishawaka, Team Determinators; 130 Red Coach Drive, Mishawaka, Indiana 46545