Roger E. Montel, 82, of Mentone, died at 6:17 a.m., Thursday, July 2, 2020, at the Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home of Fort Wayne.

Roger E. Montel

He was born on May 27, 1938, in Kosciusko County, to Deverl & Rubie (Ayres) Montel.  He married on Sept. 30, 1972, in Mentone to Linda Linn, she survives.

He graduated from Laketon High School in 1957. He worked for NIPSCO for 28 years, retiring in 1993. He also enjoyed farming with his friend Jim Meredith for many years on John Deere equipment. In earlier years, he helped his aunt and uncle, the Tridle’s, at Mentone Stock Yard. Roger was an over 50-year fireman in Kosciusko County, serving the Mentone and Sidney Fire Departments. He held many positions in leadership in the departments.

He was a member of the Warsaw Moose for many years. Roger was an avid Tippecanoe Valley Basketball fan attending many boys’ games. He enjoyed gardening, coon hunting, collecting toy tractors, going to tractor shows, tractor pulling, driving the fire truck in parades, and in years past, ice fishing. He enjoyed the time of fellowship at Teel’s, Steve Mellot’s, Garrett’s, and The Bulldog. He also was known to spend time traveling around town on his golf cart.

Survivors include his wife, Linda S. Montel, Mentone; daughters, Tammy (Roy) Dittmer, Aurora; Carmen Menzie, Mentone; sons, Terry (April) Menzie, Mentone, Tim Montel, Rochester, Todd (Chris) Montel, Rochester; grandchildren, Chad, Ryan, Kelly, Adam, AJ, Justin, Jami, Jennifer, Deidre, and Ashley; ten great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Linda) Montel; sisters, Carolyn Eberly, South Whitley and Phyllis Price, Hobart, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Deverl and Rubie Montel, a brother, Larry Montel, a half brother, Richard Sellers, a great-granddaughter, Nora Blaine Walters, and his dog, Sparky.

Following county, state, federal, and CDC guidelines, the funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 6, 2020, at King Memorial Home, 101 North Tucker St., Mentone, Indiana with Pastor Gail Law officiating. For the health of all in attendance we encourage the public to wear masks.

Burial will follow in Mentone Cemetery, Mentone.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, July 5, 2020, at King Memorial Home. Mentone, with a Fireman’s Service and walk through at 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made in Roger’s memory to the Mentone Fire Department, Mentone EMS  Kosciusko County Cancer Care Center, Fort Wayne Cancer Care Center, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home of Fort Wayne.

Share a memory or send an online condolence at www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com.