Diane Mary Gunter

Diane Mary Gunter, age 79, of Natchitoches, LA passed away Saturday, May 17, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception with Very Rev. Irion St. Romain celebrating. Burial will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. On Monday, May 19, 2025, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with a Recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.

Diane was born into a loving Catholic family on June 26, 1945, to Everett and Jeanette Maggio Gunter in Natchitoches, LA. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy and Northwestern State University. She moved to Abbeville, Louisiana shortly after where she worked for the Vermilion Parish Library for 31 years. Upon her retirement in May 2000, she moved to Natchitoches, LA where she was currently residing. She was a volunteer for the Natchitoches Genealogy and Historical Association where she took great pleasure in assisting others looking up their family histories. She was a member of Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Natchitoches Genealogy and Historical Association and Woodman of the World Family Lodge 207. She also was a strong supporter of various animal rescue groups.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Jeanette, and 2 siblings Sam and Barry Gunter.

She is survived by two siblings, Jimmy Gunter and his wife Carol of Natchitoches, LA, and Peggy Downey and her husband Rick of Tyler, Texas. She is also survived by nieces Karen Sonnier and husband Shannon, Lori Porter all of Erath, LA , Megan Williams and husband Carson, Lauren Wright and husband Jordan, and nephew Jason Downey all of Tyler, Texas. Great nieces Kristen Romero and husband Cody, Katelyn Broussard and husband Holden, Emma Sonnier, and Lilah Williams. Great nephews Dr. Rhett Sonnier and his wife Dr. Lauren Sonnier, Seth Sonnier, Cameron Carpenter and Hudson Wright. Great great niece Annelise Broussard and great great nephew Cohen Romero and a host of loving cousins.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Dr. Rhett Sonnier, Seth Sonnier, Cameron Carpenter, Jason Downey, Greg Giering, David Hadden, Henry Maggio, Jr., and Dr. Chris Maggio. Honorary pallbearers include Carson Williams, Jordan Wright, Cody Romero, Holden Broussard and Reese Domingue.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic School in Natchitoches, LA in her loving memory.

The family expresses their deep appreciation to the doctors and nurses at Natchitoches Parish Hospital and Hospice of Natchitoches for their compassionate, high skilled, care provided to her.