Melvin "Pete" B Dudley Jr. 91, gained his angel wings on April 21, 2023.  He passed peacefully with his wife Nellie Irene (Reed) Dudley close by him on April 21, 2023.  They were married 72 years.  He was born June 3,1931 in Muncie, IN.  He was preceded in death by his parents; Melvin B Dudley Sr., Christiana (Mullen) Babcock,  a grandson Brock Gaddis and his two brothers.
Pete is survived by his children Norda (Jimmy) Ratcliff, Karen (Bob) Gaddis, Kim (Jack) Poore, and Kevin (Jan) Dudley and his grandchildren, Justin (Kala) Ratcliff, LeeAnn (Dan) Ratcliff, Alisha (Lucky) Gaddis, Grant Gaddis, Angela (Charlie) Woods, Nick (Kelly) Poore.  He has thirteen great grandchildren.

Pete was a member of Hazelwood Christian Church Muncie, IN.  Pete graduated from Muncie Central High School where he played basketball.  He was a talented artist and musician.  Pete retired after thirty years of employment at Warner Gear.  Pete owned a bait company "The Dudley Company" and sold custom flies and worms.  Pete and his two brothers formed the music group called the "Cataract Brothers".  Pete wrote music, sang and played music with his two brothers.  Sometimes their wives sang chorus for the "Cataract Brothers".  He was lead singer and guitar player in a blue grass band traveling all over Indiana to entertain at Blue Grass Festivals.  He completed artistic drawings for the blue grass band newsletter for their Snowflake Festival.  He had been asked to go to Disney and draw for Disney when he was out west in the hospital.  He was a 32nd degree Master Mason in good standing for over 50 years at Masonic Lodge #46 in Muncie, IN.  He served in the US Army during the Korean War.  He raised roller pigeons for many years and was active in the Roller Pigeon Association.  He raised giant pumpkins for many years.  He competed with his giant pumpkins placing in money positions many times.  His largest pumpkin weighed 826 pounds.

Pete made sure his family was taken care of and we never lacked for entertainment.  He was Santa every Christmas and mom was Mrs. Claus.  He created a fishing game for the children to play at Christmas and retrieve a special gift by casting the pole correctly.  He was Pilgrim Pete at every thanksgiving bearing thankful gifts for everyone.  He cleverly encouraged his grandchildren to behave by telling them they could go to "kiddie prison".  He teased us all with "Barky" his pretend pet dog that lived under his table.  "Wormie" chased the little ones about the house and the children laughed and ran so as not to be caught by "Wormie".

A Celebration of Pete's Life will be held at Garden View Funeral Home, Sunday, May 7th, 2023, Muncie, IN. from 10:00 to 11:00 and a Celebration service at 11:00.  These arrangements are being facilitated through Allen Funeral Home in Bloomington, IN.,  to be held at Garden View Funeral Home in Muncie, IN.

Online condolences, memories, and photos maybe shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com or at www.gardenviewandgardensofmemory.com

Memorial contributions maybe made the American Diabetes Association or Heart to Heart Hospice through Allen Funeral Home or Garden View Funeral Home.