Dr. Richard Dale Montrey

Richard “Dick” was born on April 25, 1940, in St. Louis, MO, the son of the late Joseph A. and Jane (Compton) Montrey. He married Margaret “Margie” Orozco on June 1, 1963, in Columbia, MO and she survives.

Dick graduated from the University of Missouri in 1964 and then served in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps for 23 years from 1964 to 1987, retiring as a Colonel. Military tours of duty took him and his family to many interesting locations within the United States, Germany and Malaysia. Upon retirement from the military, he became the Director of the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine at the SIU School of Medicine in Springfield and served in that capacity from 1987 until his retirement at the end of 1999. Dick was a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine.

Dick was extremely knowledgeable in United States and World History. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, drawing, playing poker, and spending time with family and friends. In years past Dick thoroughly enjoyed watching all his grandson’s athletic events. He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chatham, IL.

Besides his wife Margie, he is survived by his three sons, Brian Montrey of Santa Clarita, CA, Ted (wife Chris) Montrey of Pawnee, IL, and Jeffrey Montrey of Springfield; four grandchildren, Brandon (wife Abigayle) Montrey, Nicholas (wife Jaquelin) Montrey, Justin (wife Erin) Montrey, and Trevor Montrey; one great-grandchild Bellamy Montrey; one brother-in-law Jerry Busby; and one sister-in-law Olivia (husband Scott) Schuckman.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister Juli Busby.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 S. Koke Mill Rd., Springfield where visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, from 5 to 7 pm. Additional visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 10:00 am until 10:45 am at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 700 E. Spruce St., Chatham, IL. The funeral mass will then be held at 11 am. Burial will be at Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield at 2 pm that day, with military honors provided by the U.S. Army and the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or to the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).