Arlene Kay Montgomery
July 2, 1954 ~ February 24, 2018
Arlene Kay Montgomery, 63, of Loami, IL passed away at 2:12 p.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, IL.
Arlene was born July 2, 1954 in Springfield, IL, the daughter of Ivan and Claire Mae (Prose) Weber. She married Don Montgomery on June 26, 1976 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Harvel, IL.
Arlene graduated valedictorian from Morrisonville High School in 1972. She worked for Millburg’s Drug Store in Morrisonville, then for the Illinois Secretary of State for five years, before moving to San Diego, CA. While there she was a volunteer ombudsman for the U.S.S. Kinkaid for five years, while Don was serving in the U.S. Navy. At that time, she was also a commercial lines underwriter for Home Federal Credit Union. Upon she and Don’s return to Central Illinois, Arlene began working as a legal secretary in the Office of the State Appellate Defender, Supreme Court Unit, eventually retiring in 2011.
Arlene was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Auburn, IL, where she was a member of their contemporary choir. She had a beautiful voice, and was an equally talented seamstress, sewing anything she could. Arlene will be remembered for her “Holiday Haircuts”, and excellent cooking, especially lasagna, enchiladas, and blonde brownies. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Arlene is survived by her husband, Don Montgomery of Loami, IL; sister, Marcia (Wayne) Rosenthal of Morrisonville, IL; father-in-law, Ray (Jean) Montgomery of Morrisonville, IL; brother-in-laws, Bob (Della) Montgomery of Morrisonville, IL, and David (Sarah) of Mound City, MO; sister-in-laws, Judy (David Brady) Hunt of Raymond, IL, and Amy (Dan) Schmedeke of Morrisonville, IL; aunt, Normadine Johnson; uncle, Bill Prose; nieces and nephews, Lexie (Chris) Florence, Kirsten Montgomery, Seneca (Daniel) Spindler, Jason (Cheri) Hunt, Ben (Amy) Montgomery, Sam (Andrea) Montgomery, Tim (Bekka) Montgomery, Dan (Faith) Montgomery, Katy Schmedeke, Nicky Schmedeke, Dustin (Brooke) Rosenthal, Sean (Sarah) Rosenthal, Casey Rosenthal, and Crystal Hatley; and numerous cousins.
Visitation: The family will receive guests from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home, 304 Carlin St., Morrisonville, IL 62546.
Funeral Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 2, 2018 at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Morrisonville, with Rev. Martin J. Kaufmann officiating.
Interment will follow at Morrisonville Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions may be made to: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, 610 N. 7th Street, Springfield, IL 62702.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences to the family.
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Very, very sad to hear of Arlene’s passing. She was far more than a legal secretary in the Supreme Court Unit of the State Appellate Defender’s Office, where I worked with her for many years. Arlene was the heart and soul of that office, making sure everything got done and that it got done in the right way. Arlene made everyone else’s job much easier because she took care of all of the details. If you ever made a mistake (and I made a few in my time) Arlene was always there to catch it, before it hurt a client or made the office look bad. Rest in Peace, Arlene. And thanks for all of the help you gave me in our work together.
Thanks Chick. She talked about you a lot and missed you. She was proud of the work the office accomplished and really enjoyed the time she had with you.
I am sorry to hear of Arlene’s passing. My thoughts and prayers to both the Montgomery’s/Rosenthal families.
Don, I’m so sorry to hear of Arlene’s passing. Having met her I know she was a sweet kind hearted woman. It will take time but the good memories will carry you through. In time think of this quote and hopefully comfort will come “Don’t cry because I’m gone, smile because I was here”
A GARDEN PATH was ordered on February 26, 2018
A SENTIMENTAL THOUGHTS was sent on February 26, 2018
Dear Don, Marcia, Montgomery & Rosenthal Families,
We are so very sorry for your loss. We will miss Arlene and her happy, friendly presence. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Mack Prose, Lisa, Joe, Josh & Jake Wilkinson
Don and family:
I was stunned and saddened to hear of Arlene’s passing. I can only reiterate what Chick said – she was the ultimate professional in her job, one who made all of our jobs much easier. I also recall with a smile our conversations about virtually everything – from the OJ verdict to changing technologies in our office to the workings of the Court, and to our families and much more. She enjoyed sharing about her family when prompted, and I enjoyed hearing about the successes of the Weber basketball girls, of whom she was very proud.
Sincerest condolences to all who are feeling this loss. Arlene was a wonderful person to know and work with.
John Hanlon
Dear Don and Marcia, Our heartfelt condolences on your loss. May God grant you peace and strength in your times of need. God Bless!
Dear Don and family, I was saddened to hear of Arlene’s passing. She was always so kind and pleasant to talk to. I remember when she was on my softball team in Morrisonville, she always made me feel so comfortable. When I had dealings with her when I worked at the Illinois Supreme Court, she was always pleasant. I enjoyed our conversations. I was glad I got to see you both at Olive Garden not too long ago. Arlene will be truly missed. My prayers are with you at this time.
Thanks Cindy. I always thought she was the better half of our partnership and I think it shined through when she would talk to people. She enjoyed our “retiree” get-togethers because it gave her a chance to meet the people I worked with, even if she didn’t understand most of what we were talking about 😊
So sad to hear of Arlene’s death. She was a true professional who added so much to the Appellate Defender’s Office. Arlene was both an exemplary employee, and a very fine person.
I’m sorry, Don, for your loss. She was a great friend.
We are very sorry to hear of Arlene’s passing. Arlene cared deeply not only for the clients of the State Appellate Defender but also for her fellow employees. She made OSAD a better place.
We offer our sincere prayers and deepest sympathy for your loss.