Michael James Montgomery left his life on earth to continue into his reward in eternity on June 29, 2016. He celebrated his 78th birthday on May 25 of this year. He died peacefully in his home with his family gathered with him.

His was a life well lived. He loved well and was well loved in return.

In his last six years, he dealt with his diagnosis of Alzheimer's in his own inimitable fashion: peacefully and with grace. He had always been a gentleman and a gentle man, and he maintained those attributes throughout his disease. For his last six months he was bedfast, yet he never complained nor missed a chance to say "thank you" or "please" to all who assisted him.

Michael was born May 25, 1938, to Dorothy (Racey) Montgomery and Maxwell Montgomery in Muncie, Indiana. Throughout his academic life he was an outstanding student and earned the National Merit Scholarship to pursue his degree at Indiana University . He was a charter member of the Chi Phi fraternity there.

He served for seven years in the National Guard.

For his entire career he was employed by the General Electric Company in Cleveland, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Springfield, Missouri. He worked at GE 38 years to the day and retired in 1998 at the age of sixty. He will be remembered by his many friends and co-workers there.

He married Sara (Hipskind) Montgomery July 15, 1967, at St.Bernard's Catholic Church in Wabash, Indiana. Mike did not live to celebrate their 49th Wedding Anniversary. However, on May 7th this year, they did celebrate the 50th anniversary of their first date in 1966. They have been blessed with a happy marriage and three children.

Michael is survived by his wife Sara and his three adult children: Barry (Shelley Staples), David, and Ann Katherine (Andy Holman). He is also survived by his brother William Montgomery and wife Dee. Also left to cherish his memory are his brother-in-law Nicholas Hipskind and wife Sandy, his nieces Heidi Dolson and Nicole Huff, his nephew Andrew Hipskind, and life-long friends Leonard and Sharon Smith.

Each of them will carry with them forever the lessons he modeled for them about love, decency, honesty, caring and steadfastness. They will also remember his inexhaustible trove of trivia he always had at the ready. No one in the family ever had to look up a fact. All they did was "just ask Dad" and he had the answer. He will be remembered by Ann and her friends for his creative storytelling which will carry into the next generation.

He was an avid runner and a devoted fan of Jeopardy. In fact, just a few months before he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's he had qualified to appear on the Jeopardy television program. He did not get to fulfill that dream.

Michael has been a member of National Avenue Church (Disciples of Christ) since 1976. He served as an elder, took communion to the sick, and was a charter member of the Stephen's Ministry. He also worked at the Boys and Girls Club after his retirement.

His visitation will be at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Saturday and his funeral service will be Sunday, July 3, 2016 at 3:00 pm in National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri. His remains will be interred at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri, at a later date.

The family wishes to thank all of the Hospice Compassus team who cared for him for the past seven months and especially to thank his companion Glen and his nursing assistant Colleen, who provided friendship and care in the last two years of his life and allowed Mike to remain at home his final days.