Michael Wayne Montgomery

He was born to James E and Jean L (nee Beumel) Montgomery at the Madigan Army Hospital, (now Joint Base Lewis-McCord) WA while his father was out at sea in the Navy.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Rose Montgomery (nee McFadden) of Bloomington; children, Patrick (Becky) of Indian Mound, TN, and Andrew Montgomery of Bloomington, IN ; grandchildren, Sarah and James of Indian Mound, TN; father, James of Bloomington; siblings, Steven (Brian Weatherford) of Chicago and Kim (Charlie) Horton of MN; siblings-in-law, Ronny Smith of Hutto, TX, Joseph (Lois) McFadden of Amber, PA, Cindy Mc Fadden of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, and Bernie (Nina) McFadden of Allentown, PA; and his German Shepard, Ruby.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Jean, who was the daughter of former Tell City, IN Mayor, Nick Beumel; siblings-in-law, Bernadette McFadden, Francis (Bernine) McFadden, Ritajeanne (Truman) Warren, Anne (Francis X.) Donofry, Helen Smith, and James McFadden.

Mike was a United States Air Force Veteran. Sgt Montgomery was an intelligence analyst (Intelligence Analyst Specialist) with a top-secret clearance, so that he could debrief pilots. Serving from 1976-1980, he was stationed at Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, S.C. with temporary duty stations in several locations to include: Canada, Germany, England, Colorado, and New York.

He retired from Indiana University Campus Division after 31 years as a Gardener.

Mike was personable, friendly, and well-liked. He was a great cook, well spoken, and liked fishing, foreign vehicles (especially VWs), gardening, and doing things with his family as well as traveling and spending time with them. His most outstanding trait was that he was generous to a fault. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need and was certainly NOT a pretentious person. Mike was kind-hearted, generous with time, a dog-lover, and had a knack with children. He was also a meticulous landscaper who possessed a love of nature. Mike marched not only to the beat of his own drum, but he marched to the beat of a different band altogether.

For many years, Mike was a continuing member of the Volkswagen Club of America. He was also a Master Gardener. He even served as an official judge in one show. In his younger years, he rode his motorcycle across the train trestle in Solsberry, IN, but was careful not to tell his mother, since knowing that would have upset her, even though the deed was already done. Also in his younger years, he swam all the way across the Ohio River between Kentucky and Indiana. Most importantly, he is deeply loved and is already greatly missed by his family as he was the heart, soul, and light of the family.

Mike went to St. Francis de Sales Elementary in Indianapolis, St. Ambrose Elementary in Anderson, Dyer Jr. High School in Bloomington, and was part of Bloomington North Class of 1974. He attended Indiana University and graduated from Ivy Tech Columbus in 1983.

A public visitation will be held at Deremiah-Frye Mortuary (700 W Gourley Pike, Bloomington, IN) on Saturday, March 5th 2022 from 4-8pm. The family requests that the visitation be “Mike Themed”. Guests are encouraged to wear t-shirts featuring fishing, Volkswagens, Germany, and St. Pauly Girl. Guests may also wear crocks and baseball caps. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that monetary donations be made to the Monroe County Humane Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DeremiahFryeMortuary.com for the Montgomery family.