Armin J. Montroy

ARMIN J. MONTROY, 88 , of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 3:50 am, Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home, Chester, Illinois.

He was born to the late J. L. and Cecilia (nee Moskop) Montroy on November 16, 1929 in Chester, Illinois.  He graduated from Chester High School in 1947.  He enlisted in the Navy on January 3, 1951 and proudly served during the Korean War until October 20, 1954 on the USS Pickaway as a chief petty officer, obtaining the rank of Yeoman First Class.

He married Mary Elizabeth Booth on April 4, 1959 in Chester, Illinois; she preceded him in death on September 18, 2015.

Armin was a lifelong resident of Chester.  He developed an exceptional knowledge of the history of both Chester and Randolph County.  He could easily recite the history of any piece of land and the people who had lived and worked on it.

He loved nothing more than to take long drives and explore the many backroads of Randolph County.  He was infamous for taking the long way to any given destination or as his son Kim called it “taking the Armin route.”

Armin had an abiding love of all types of music.  He played music professionally for over four decades beginning in the 1950s.  He mastered numerous instruments including the upright bass, accordion, and trombone.  He was a proud member of the Chester Municipal Band for over 50 years.

He also had many other interests including collecting stamps and postcards, camping, fishing, barbequing, and both collecting and watching trains.  Armin also had a deep love of the Mississippi River and spent many hours watching it flow along the Chester riverfront.

Armin had been a farmer, raising registered Pol Herefords.  He and Kim also raised and showed horses.  He served many years on the Randolph County Soil and Water Conservation Board.  He also worked as an appraiser, sold insurance and real estate, and in the Mapping and Planning Department of the Randolph County Assessor’s Office for over 20 years.

He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chester.  He was a life member of both the Chester American Legion Post # 487 and V.F.W.  Post # 3553.  During recent Veteran’s Day celebrations, he was recognized as the oldest living former Commander of Chester’s V.F.W. post.

Survivors:

1 Son:           Kim (Angela Palmer) Montroy               Austin, TX

2 Siblings:     Lawrence (Pat) Montroy                       Chester, IL

Betty Ann (Harold) Reiss                      Red Bud, IL

Special Niece: Amy (Ron) Liefer and their children – Sarah, Laura & Brian

Several Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends

Preceded in death by :  Parents, Wife and 2 Brothers – Harold and an infant brother

It was Armin’s wishes to be cremated.

Memorial Service: 11:00 am, Saturday, December 16, 2017
Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois

Officiating: Very Reverend Eugene H. Wojcik, V.F

Inurnment: Immediately following the memorial service at
St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Chester, Illinois

Visitation: Saturday, 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois

In Lieu of Flowers

Memorials: Chester Senior Center
The Anna Veteran's Home
Gunners Run Rescue
Puppy Rescue 911