Robert B Monge

PEKIN ~ Robert Benjamin Monge, 82, of 2300 Sierra Drive, passed away at 11:18 a.m. Saturday, February 16, 2008 at Pekin Hospital.Born March 31, 1925 in Pekin to Battista and Melanie (Dinquel) Monge, he married Norma Jean Elliott on February 16, 1947 in Pekin. She survives.Also surviving are two sons, Thomas R. (Cynthia) Monge of Sun Valley, Idaho and Randal D. "Randy" Monge of Orcas Island, Washington; one daughter, Melanie J. Monge of Oregon City, Oregon; seven grandchildren, Robert B. Monge, II of Lima, Peru, Alexander P. Monge of Boise, Idaho, Carmen B. (Joe) Bizak of Hawaii, Patricia D. (Joe) Brenner of Valdosta, Georgia, Jessica J. Halstead of Iowa City, Iowa, and Jackolyn J. Halstead and Martin T. Halstead, both of Oregon City, Oregon; four great-grandchildren, Madalyn Bizak, Elgyn Monge, Arabella Bizak, and Angelina Brenner; and two sisters, Lorraine Temple of Paso Robles, California and Pauline Wiseman of Naperville.He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers (Emile Monge and Junior Monge), and one sister (Mabel Nolan).He attended McKinley School and Washington Junior High School and was a 1943 graduate of Pekin Community High School.He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 17, 1943 in Officers Candidate Class IIID. He was called to active duty on July 1, 1943 and was sent to Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo, Michigan and later to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he studied engineering while in V-12 officer's candidate training. He received his advanced infantry training at Camp LeJuene, North Carolina and then was sent overseas to Guam and the Marianas Islands. He returned back to San Diego, California in March 1946 and was discharged on June 17, 1946 with the rank of Corporal.Upon his discharge, he returned back to Pekin and started in business with his brothers, Monge Bros. Construction. Bob was the President of Monge Realty and Investments, Inc. in Pekin since May 5, 1955.He developed numerous subdivisions over the years that included Sunset Hills, Northside Manor, Orchard, Lake Park, Holiday Hills, and Lawndale, all in Pekin, Paddock Manor in Bartonville, Timber Oaks in Peoria, and subdivisions in Marquette Heights, Canton and Elmira, New York. He developed a total of 3,505 lots and built and sold 1,900 homes. He also developed apartment complexes and condos that included, Williamsburg Apts., Willow Oaks Apts. I and II, and Sunset Hills Apts., all in Pekin, Orlando Apts. in Normal, Village Square Apts. in Canton, Washington West Apts. in Washington, The Neighborhood Apts. and Autumn Heights condos, both in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In all, he developed more than 1,395 units and condos.He developed shopping centers and other commercial projects, including Sunset Hills Shopping Center and Market Square Shopping Plaza, both in Pekin.He was involved in the redevelopment of downtown Pekin in connection with the Pekin Development Corporation. He also developed Sunset Hills Golf and Swim Club in Pekin.He started the Sunset Best Ball Golf Tournament and was later renamed in his honor, The Robert B. Monge Invitational Best Ball. On July 2, 1988, Bob was honored by the city of Torino, Italy and Piedmonte province as one of 20 descendents from around the world who brought honor to the region through their accomplishments in their respective countries.He was a life and 61 year member of Empire Lodge #126, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in Pekin. He was a member of Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria and The Imperial Council of the Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, both since 1951. He also was a member of the Pekin Country Club, First United Methodist Church, Tobin-Nanninga Detachment #85 of the Marine Corps League, and William Schaefer American Legion Post #44, all in Pekin, and the Windstar Country Club in Naples, Florida.He was a charter member of the Pekin Board of Realtors where he served as president three times and was a charter member of the Builders Association of Tazewell County, where he had served as president twelve times. He was past chairman of the Tazewell County Handicapped School Construction and Dedication. He authored WW2 Memories of Love and War, which was published in January 1994. He co-authored with Jack Shepler "The Book Eternal", a veterans memorial history that details the deaths of all Tazewell County servicemen. He was co-chairman of the Tazewell County Veterans Memorial which was erected on the Tazewell County Courthouse lawn and was dedicated November 11, 1995.Masonic Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 23, 2008at the Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel, with a memorial service immediately following. Jaye A. Rinkenberger will officiate. Military rites will be accorded by the United States Marine Corps and Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team. The family will receive friends following the services at a luncheon at the Pekin Country Club.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 TAPS Lane, Pekin, IL 61554 or Tazewell County Museum, 2950 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554.