Robert Ray Montgomery, 86, of Morrisonville, died Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Morrisonville.
A private memorial ceremony will be held on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. at the church with the Rev. Jim Ferrill officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow the services in Morrisonville Cemetery. Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Morrisonville is assisting the family.
Mr. Montgomery was born Sept. 9, 1933, in Decatur, the son of Robert Guy and Grace Mae (Van Houten) Montgomery. He married Phyllis Mae Hancock on Sept. 9, 1952, at the First Baptist Church in Morrisonville, and she preceded him in death on Jan. 24, 1993. He then married Jean (McKinnie) Kraner on Oct. 2, 1993, at the First Presbyterian Church in Morrisonville, and she survives.
Raised in Clay County, he attended Louisville schools. He proudly served in the United States Navy, serving in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War. He went on to retire from the Navy in 1973, as a senior chief electrician’s mate. He then worked for Sears in Decatur, the city of Morrisonville and then Sears in Springfield, where he retired.
A true patriot, he lived his life with a desire to serve his community. He was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church of Morrisonville, volunteering his time in many facets of the church. He was also dedicated to the American Legion Post #721, where he served as commander and most recently was the chaplain.
He was also a member of the Morrisonville Masonic Lodge No. 681, Christian County Shrine Club and the International Order of Odd Fellows in Palmer. He served as past fire chief of the Morrisonville-Palmer Fire Protection District, and he was instrumental in the creation of the Morrisonville Community Ambulance Service.
He enjoyed attending the USS Loeser Reunions, and feeding the birds and squirrels in the yard. Out of all of his accomplishments in life, he was most proud of his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Jean, he is survived by his children, Robert (wife Della) Montgomery of Morrisonville, Don Montgomery of Loami, Judy Hunt of Raymond, David (wife Sarah) Montgomery of Mound City, MO, and Amy (husband Dan) Schmedeke of Morrisonville; 21 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; siblings, Carol Oliver of San Jose, CA, Tyler (wife Linda) Montgomery of Beverly Hills, FL, Jim (wife Susie) Montgomery of Taylorville and Grace Arlene Kidd of Springfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and first wife, Phyllis, he was preceded in death by daughter, Patricia Lea Montgomery; son, Douglas Wayne Montgomery; and daughter-in-law, Arlene Kay Montgomery.
Memorials may be made to the Morrisonville Community Ambulance, P.O. Box 641, Morrisonville, IL 62546, or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL, 33607. Donations of food may be brought to the American Legion Post #721 in Morrisonville on Saturday morning.
Online condolences may be left at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
