Melinda C. Brant

Melinda Cake Brant, 65, of Carmel, Indiana went into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 29, 2018. Diagnosed with Ovarian cancer in 2014, Mindy lived additional years made possible by her excellent medical team, making it possible for her to experience her children’s marriages, grandchildren being born, a fulfilling professional career and attending her 30th General Convention of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Mindy was born June 1, 1953 in Ridgewood, New Jersey, the daughter of the late Dick and Helen Cake. She benefitted from a strong Christian heritage of the Cake and Brant Families, blessed with wonderful, warm, loving relatives who all get along!

Mindy was a faithful woman, who stood strong in her Christian faith. Loved her church and the Lord, God’s word and Jesus Calling devotional. She served on the Women of Faith Committee at Faith Missionary Church. Loved children, serving and teaching them in Sunday school and speech therapy.

Mindy enjoyed raising four kids with strong roots as well as wings, so they grew to be independent, creative, hard-working and loving individuals. She took great pride in helping her children try varied activities such as camping, backpacking, sports, and musical instruments. Helping her sons achieve the Eagle rank in Boy Scouts of America. And encouraging all four children to become independent of their parents and to know Christ. She loved how special and unique each of them is and how those traits carry-on in her Granddaughter Emma and new Grandson Beau too! She enjoyed watching kids playing with her Dad’s homemade doll house and toys that she saved for years, fostering creative play; rather than a reliance on technology.

Mindy saw a life-long dream become reality, when the Family opened a cabin in memory of John H. Brant nearby Patoka Lake in Southern Indiana. She relaxed most when kayaking in the Hoosier National Forest Parks. She was inspired by places like the Grand Teton National Park and Mackinac Island, Michigan.

Mindy graduated from Bay High School, in Bay Village, Ohio. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and then Master’s in Arts from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. Mindy was initiated into the Alpha Sigma Chapter of Chi Omega at Miami University, having a special fellowship with many women of our family who are her sorority sisters as well. She served as a speech therapist for thirty years in Loveland City Schools east of Cincinnati, Ohio and Cherry Tree Elementary School of Carmel Clay Schools north of Indianapolis, Indiana. She successfully took the risk of leaving her career for eleven years to be a full-time mother because she believed that a parent’s full attention is required during the first-five years of child development.

She is survived by her loving husband, Jonathan and four children: David J. Brant, Jared D. Brant (Suzanne), Peter J. Brant (Leah Hayes), and Caitlin E. Brant; Granddaughter Emma M. Brant by Jared and Suzanne and Grandson Beau H. Brant by Peter and Leah; sister Sue Nelson (Bob) and brother Peter Cake (Marilyn).

Mindy wished that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to “Faith Missionary Church – Ambassadors Project Campaign” at 9125 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240.

Our Family wishes to thank you, many friends, colleagues and neighbors who offered heartfelt and creative support through encouraging messages, creative contributions of assistance this fall, while we shared in Mindy’s journey toward her home in Heaven!

Mindy’s reflections on “your prayers for me”

Don’t be discouraged or think that your prayers for healing for me “didn’t work”.

You are right, God didn’t choose to take away the cancer and heal me… But He did honor all your prayers and did miraculous things for me because you prayed:
* He gave me peace through this journey… peace that passes all understanding.
* He gave me joy as I felt all the love and support from friends and family all over the country.
* He gave me strength when I needed it to keep going and endure.
* He gave me comfort as your prayers surrounded me like a warm blanket.

Prayer is powerful so never doubt what it can do!

Mindy