Melissa Bunton

Melissa A. Bunton, 44, of Palestine, IL, passed away unexpectedly on January 25, 2026, at her home. She was born on January 11, 1982, in Robinson, and from the very beginning, she seemed to come with her own extra supply of spark. As a kid, she had the kind of energy that filled a room before she even said a word. Whatever she was doing, she had plenty of energy to do it...and then some! Her teachers and Girl Scout troop leaders used to wonder if she might have too much energy, but Melissa never saw it as “too much.” It was simply who she was: bright, playful, and fully alive.

That spark followed her as she grew up in Robinson and, in the mid-90s, moved to Oblong to live with her mom. Those years helped shape what so many people came to know about her: a quick humor, a lively presence, and a way of making everyday life feel a little less ordinary. She was fun, she was fearless, and she knew how to keep things light.

But Melissa was never only laughter. Under that playful edge was a big imagination and a steady drive to make something out of what she had. She could look at scraps and see possibilities, turning bits and pieces into jewelry that was uniquely hers. That creativity showed up in how she carried herself, too. Melissa was a colorful dresser, someone who wore clothes that stood out, not to impress, but because she liked what she liked. She enjoyed shopping because it helped her show up in the world with personality.

And she did show up, especially for others. Even as a teenager, she was drawn to care, working for Addus Home Healthcare and finding real meaning in taking care of the elderly. That instinct did not fade as the years went on. Melissa loved everybody, and she lived like she meant it. She did things for other people, and it did not matter if it cost her time, money, or convenience. The world does not always handle that kind of kindness well, and many people took advantage of her generosity. Still, it never changed what was true about her heart. She kept caring anyway.

That same tenderness was part of why she always loved animals. She kept turtles, and she was the sort of person who noticed animals and made room for them. It made sense that one of the places she worked was the Crawford County Humane Society, because she was drawn to the ones who needed gentleness. Over the years, she also worked at Carpet Barn, The Liquor Rack, and most recently, Arby’s. No matter where she was, she brought her full self with her: humor, color, and an energy you could feel.

And maybe that is the best way to remember Melissa, not only by what she did or the things she liked, but by the light she brought with her. She had a spark that could not be faked, and when she loved you, you felt it. Her son, David, felt it most of all. Being his mom was not just part of her life. It was her pride, her joy, and one of the truest places her heart ever lived. And that is the story we hold onto. Not a perfect story, but a true one. A life marked by color, by compassion, and by a love you could feel.

Melissa is survived by her son, David Bunton (Stoy, IL); her parents, Larry Dunlap (rural Palestine, IL) and Betty Birch (Robinson, IL); and her brother, Brian Dunlap (Robinson, IL). She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Larry Birch, and stepmother, Annie Dunlap.

A time of visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2nd, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Memorial contributions may be made to the "American Lung Association" or to the "Crawford County Humane Society", with memorial envelopes available at the funeral home.