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Donald Ray Montoney

Donald Ray Montoney

This is the story of Donald Ray Montoney. He was born 89 years ago in Pierce.

He served in the U.S. Navy in WWII, a husband of 66 years, a father of six children, grandfather of 26 and a great-grandfather of 42.

He retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber in 1985 after 36 years of service and a was member of the Masonic Lodge since 1966.

Donald left us on Feb. 5, 2017, to be welcomed by his daughter, Carol Schulenburg; parents, Mae Smith and Oscar Smith and Omer Montoney; siblings Warren and Richard Montoney, Mary Jo Burke and Deloris Arter; and far too many friends to mention.

Donald leaves the love of his life, Twila (Cain) Montoney, whom he met by honking his car horn at and startling her so much that she jumped into a pile of snow in 1947. From this impromptu meeting, they built a beautiful life together that has been admired by all who knew them.

Our patriarch never distinguished between in-laws and children. They were all just sons and daughters in his eyes.

Donald’s surviving children are David and Sharon Montoney, Susan and Chester Stout, Donna and Robert Gower, Patricia and Lynn Fritz, David Schulenburg and Danny and Cynthia Montoney.

He also leaves behind siblings, Louise Croft, Oscar and Linda Smith, Dottie Fletcher, James Smith and Patti Smith, along with a multitude of loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren and scores of nieces and nephews.

Donald lived his life by the values of family first. His career at Goodyear not only helped him care for his family, it also extended it by providing him with close friends who became adopted uncles and cousins to his children.

Donald’s belief system wasn’t preached to anyone but was proven to everyone by the way he led his life, loved his wife and raised his children. His children have passed along the values of family to their children and they in turn to their children. We will greatly miss him; however, we do find solace in the memories left to us. From how he met the love of his life, Twila, to the full house of love and laughter we were raised in, the career advice he guided us with and most importantly the infinite wisdom of balancing the love of family and career, the ability to address what really matters and the humility that we are all just the sum of our actions.

When a person leaves this world the only thing they leave behind is their legacy. Donald’s legacy is the enduring love he and our mother shared for 66 years that has been witnessed and marveled by all. His incredible influence on extended family and friends and the memories they possess of him which is evident by all the expressions of sympathy received from around the country. The stories shared by all are healing with their loving content and miraculous in their volume.

We the family want to thank all of you for your support and the sharing of your memories during this difficult time. We ask that you honor our family patriarch’s memory by living a good life. Love your husband, love your wife, love your family, take care of those who need your help and just be a good person.

A celebration of Donald Montoney’s life will be held in the near future, and all will be notified once details have been finalized.