Mary Louise Bunner

Mary Louise Bunner of Huntsville, Alabama died peacefully at home holding her husband’s hand on July 29th 2023, at the age of 79. Mary was born on March 12, 1944 in Gahanna Ohio. From a very young age, Mary loved music. She loved to sing and play the piano. She played the alto saxophone in her high school marching band as well as the Ohio State Marching Band. Mary graduated from Lincoln High School in 1962 and went on to attend Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC followed by Berea College in Berea, KY. She obtained a bachelor of science degree in elementary education and later did graduate work with the University of California at Berkeley. Mary taught Kindergarten through 8th grade and her favorite grades were 2nd and 6th.

Mary was teaching in Havre de Grace, MD in August of 1969 when she met Ronald Clifton Bunner. Ronald was a young soldier in the US Army. Mary and Ronald married on December 6th 1969 and they would soon move to Germany. They spent 25 years in the service until Ronald retired at the rank of Colonel in 1984. During their service they spent 12 years in Germany and 3 years in Italy. Mary taught school for the Department of Defense School System. She loved teaching all of the soldiers’ children as well as mentoring the junior officers' wives.

Mary was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is survived by her husband Colonel Ronald C. Bunner, her children: Kathy Eason (Ray), Rhonda Moore (Troy), Ronald Bunner Jr (Beth), Steven Bunner, Cheryl Partlow, and Peggy Swaim (Steve). Her grandchildren: Taylor, Quinn, Sydney, Payton, Veronica, Bryce, Aislynn, and her great-grandchildren: Aiden, Avery, Alex, Lydia, Lindsey, Parker, Joseph Jr., her stepmother Sandra Matheny and sister Jodi Matheny. Mary was preceded in death by her father Joseph Matheny, her mother Bernadine Matheny, her grandson Joseph Laughery, and the many others who loved her. Mary loved God and her faith was important to her.

Mary was a fantastic cook. Her signature dish was Spaghetti Carbonara as it’s made in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. She passed her love of cooking, eating and recipes to her children and grandchildren. She loved cappuccinos, bloody Mary’s, unsweet tea, Alabama football, and soccer (especially if her son or grand/great grandkids played). Mary enjoyed traveling and loved Disney, the beach, and military life in Western Europe. She would laugh and talk about watching Jaws in the airplane flying to Germany or getting lost in the Paris subway system and getting rescued by a kind Frenchman. She also would laugh and say the worst meal she ever ate was while traveling and crossing the English Channel on the ferry.

Mary embraced life. In her younger years she met Billy Graham, sang as an opening act for Porter Wagoner, and fought for civil rights in the 1960s. She was loving, kind to all, and saw the best in everyone. In 2016 Mary was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She never complained and Mary fought hard for almost 7 years. She was kind to all her doctors and caregivers and even on her worst days greeted them with a smile. She won in life! She loved flowers, fuzzy blankets and watching birds. During her last years, she would cuddle under her favorite blanket and get great enjoyment watching the hummingbirds, cardinals, finches, and even a red-headed woodpecker come to the bird feeders outside her window.

Mary will be laid to rest on Sunday August 6th, 2023 at Valhalla Funeral Home & Memory Gardens, 698 Winchester Rd Ne, Huntsville, Alabama 35811. Visitation is from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM CST with her funeral and graveside service immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you show sympathy by making a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Lustgarten Foundation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.valhallafunerals.com for the Bunner family.