Melba B. (Rathje) Bonner

Melba B. (Rathje) Bonner, 92, passed away on Friday, August 29, 2025 in Kokomo, Indiana.

She was born on September 14, 1932 in Peru, Indiana to Dallas R. and Susie E. (Setty) Rathje.  Melba married William “Bill” Bonner on December 22, 1962. They shared 27 years of marriage before he passed away on August 27, 1990. Melba was retired from Delco Electronics where she worked as an assembly line float.

Melba is survived by her two sons, Robert Bonner, of Kokomo, Indiana and Bryan (Debbie) Bonner of Kokomo, Indiana. Also surviving are four grandchildren: Donald (Shelby) Bonner, Jim (Jen)  Turpen , Cody Bonner, and Stephanie Bonner; four great-grandchildren: Katelyn (Garrett) Green, Phillip T. Dunham, Brady “Bri” Dunham, Brandon (Lillian) Dunham; and six great-great grandchildren: Alexander Dunn, Lakelynn Smith, Ace Dunham, Lillith Dunham, Valerie Dunham, and Beta Dunham.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Robert Rathje, sister Mary Frances Ward, daughter-in-law Debra Bonner, and granddaughters Traci Lyn Graham and Christine Bonner.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025 from 12:00pm-2:00pm at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana. Funeral services will follow at 2:00pm with Pastor John Dreyer officiating. Burial will take place at St. John’s Lutheran  Cemetery in Peru, Indiana.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 705 East Southway Boulevard, Kokomo, Indiana 46902.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melba B. (Rathje) Bonner, please visit our floral store.