Life story Mr. Melvin Lee Vonderheide, 77, of Madison, Indiana passed away Saturday, February 25, 2012 at his residence in Madison. He was born Saturday, July 21, 1934 in Jasper, Indiana, the son of Harry and Henrietta Miller Vonderheide. Mr. Vonderheide graduated from Jasper High School, and served in the United States Navy as a signalman during the Korean War era. Following his discharge from military service, he attended radio announcing school in Chicago. He came to Madison in the late 1950's as a popular announcer for WORX Radio, later serving as program director and station manager. He was owner and operator of the former Hillcrest Flowers and Greenhouse and later, 411 Flowers on Main Street for 20 years. Later in life, he served as curator of the Schofield House Museum in Madison. He was a member and a past president of the Madison Jaycees, member and a past Exalted Ruler of the Madison Elks Lodge #524, member and past president of the Madison Business and Professional Association, member of the Madison Regatta Committee, a past president of Madison Band Boosters, and a founding member of the former Citizens for Quality Education. He was recognized for his hospitality by the Madison Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Mel loved fishing, music, garden design, cooking and was a talented painter. Survivors include his wife, Betsey (Meese) Vonderheide, to whom he was married on April 26, 1969 in Madison; one daughter: Jane G. Vonderheide of Madison; two sons: Daniel Meese Vonderheide, Louisville, Kentucky, and David Edwin Vonderheide, Portsmouth, Virginia; four sisters: Dolores Russell, Rancho Cordova, California, Patricia Opel, Jasper, Indiana, Ruth Ferguson, Huntington, Indiana, and Sue Jane Schnell, Sellersburg, Indiana; and five grandchildren: Max and Beck Devito, and Mary Claire, Olivia, and Charlie Vonderheide. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Virginia Friedman. His sister Lucille Friedman of Jasper, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, February 26, 2012. The Reverend Chris Craig will conduct the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM on Saturday March 3, 2012 at the Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 413 East Second Street, Madison. Interment will follow in the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Madison, where an Honor Guard from the U.S. Navy will conduct military graveside services. Friends and family may gather from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Lytle Funeral Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the King's Daughters' Hospital Hospice, the Smile Train or a charity of the donor's choice. Memorial envelopes are available at the funeral home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin Lee Vonderheide, please visit our floral store.