Melanie L. Macke, 63, of Decatur, IN, passed away on Friday morning, November 28, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center. She was born on March 21, 1962, in Decatur, IN, the daughter of Paul L. and Beverly A. (Gilbert) Buckingham.
She graduated from Bellmont High School and later went on to cosmetology school and graduated from Huntington Beauty College. Mel worked as a hair stylist for over 20 years and owned her own salon, Styles By Melanie. She was talented and loved by all of her clients.
Melanie’s family and friends meant everything to her and she will be deeply missed.
She is survived by her children, Stephanie (Joel) Alberson, Caitlin (Orion) Guerra both of Fort Wayne, IN, and Matthew (Karrie) Macke of Ann Arbor, MI; a brother, Kevin (Laurel) Buckingham; 3 sisters, Kathleen (Craig Barkley) Baker, Debra (Phil) Braun, Teresa (James) Stevenson; 7 grandchildren, Carter, Adalyn, Brody, Brennan, Jace, Bella, and Rylan. Also many nieces and nephews who were very close to her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother-in-law, James L. Stevenson; nephews, Douglas J. Braun and Jameson D. Braun.
Visitation will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service immediately following at Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home.
Arrangements are entrusted to Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home.
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