TROY GROVE - Montie L. Melau, 61, of Troy Grove passed away unexpectedly Jan. 16, 2020 at OSF Saint Paul Medical Center, Mendota.

Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. A celebration of life will follow the visitation at 7 p.m. with Father Peter Pilon officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded afterward. Private burial will be at a later date. Please bring any photo memories or stories you would like to share to help in keeping Montie’s legacy alive.

Montie was born July 27, 1958 in Mendota to Donald and Mildred (McLaughlin) Melau. He married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Donovan on Jan. 29, 1977 at Holy Cross Church in Mendota.

Survivors include his wife of Troy Grove; one son, Mitchell (Melissa) Melau of Troy Grove; one daughter, Marissa (David) Trumper of LaSalle; one brother, Gary Melau of Leland; his mother, Mildred Morel of Leland; his father- and mother-in-law, Edward and Irene Donovan of Mendota; one brother-in-law, Gary (Donna) Donovan of Rockford; four grandchildren, Noah Trumper, Chelsea Kman, Jesse Trumper and Anthony Childs; four great-grandchildren, Logan, Lucy, Lyla and Amelia; and his faithful four-legged companion, Dick, his Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Melau and stepfather, Vernon Morel.

During high school, Montie worked for Linne Brother’s Sales and Service in Troy Grove and at the Del Monte Farm Shop. He graduated from Mendota High School in 1976 and immediately took up employment with Manley Brothers, Incorporated in Troy Grove, where he dedicated 44 years of his life. During his time there, he served as a member of Local 427 and USW Local 31-G. He served on the Troy Grove Volunteer Fire Department from 1978–2014, during which he held office for several years and served as chief for about 10 years. Montie enjoyed many things that life had to offer. He earned his pilot’s license and flew his own private plane. Building, restoring, and racing anything on two or four wheels came naturally to him and he could often be found on a lake fishing or out in a blind or stand hunting. His most valued interest was to spend as much time as he could with his family and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the family.