Montie L. Melau, 61, of Troy Grove passed away unexpectedly on January 16, 2020, at OSF St. Paul Medical Center in Mendota.

A visitation is scheduled to take place at the  Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota from 3-7 p.m. on Thursday. A celebration of life will follow the visitation at 7 p.m. with Father Peter Pilon officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded afterwards and burial will be private at a later date. Please bring any photo memories or stories that you would like to share to help in keeping Montie's legacy alive.

Montie was born on July 27, 1958 in Mendota to Donald and Mildred (McLaughlin) Melau.

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 he immediately took up employment with Manley Brothers, Incorporated, in Troy Grove, where he dedicated 44 years of his life. During his time there, Montie served as a member of Local 427 and USW Local 31-G.

On January 29, 1977, Montie married his high school sweetheart, Marlene Donovan, at Holy Cross Church in Mendota.

He served on the Troy Grove Volunteer Fire Department from 1978 – 2014 where he held office for several years and he served as chief for about 10 years while on the department.

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. Montie's most valued interest was to spend as much time as he could with his family and friends.

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

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

Memorials may be directed to the family.