John Edward Montgomery, 83 of Big Rapids Michigan, crossed over Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in the care of the staff of Royal View Assisted Living and his beloved family. An interment ceremony will take place 12:00 p.m. Saturday, October 14th at Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Lunch will be served immediately following in the Artworks building, downtown Big Rapids. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, Artworks of Big Rapids, or the Roland L. Hicks/John E. Montgomery scholarship endowment for advertising students of Ferris State University.

John was born October 26, 1939 in Charleston, Illinois to Dr. Charles and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Montgomery. He graduated from Charleston Community High School in 1957 and from the Eastern Illinois University in 1962 and 1967. On March 31, 1962 he was married to Patricia Laurentine Wilson of Paris, Illinois. After graduation, John served in the US Army, stationed in Manassas, Virginia. Between his service in the Army and graduate school, John was employed as a commercial artist for the Montgomery Ward Corporate Offices in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his masters degree in 1967, accepting a teaching position at Oklahoma Military Academy in Claremore, Oklahoma. John joined the faculty of Ferris State University in 1970 with art related teaching assignments in the college of Business. John concluded his teaching career with Ferris, retiring in 2002.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed working on art and commercial design projects. John was also known as an enthusiastic motorcyclist. He and second wife Glenda Tellkamp had many motorcycling adventures in their golden years, touring the eastern United States. John was recognized by many as a talented artist in a number of media. He was also an accomplished artisan in the areas of bead work, period apparel, and leather crafting. John also enjoyed photography, writing letters, yard work, travel, and spending time with his three grown sons and two grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Charles and James, and wives Patricia Montgomery (January 2003), and Glenda Tellkamp (April 2023).

John is survived by sons, Mitch, Chad (Sarah), and Ben Montgomery, all of Big Rapids. "Poppy John" will sorely miss his sweet grandchildren, Libby and Charles Montgomery of Big Rapids. Also surviving are brother Joseph Montgomery and family of Greenville, Illinois, several nieces, nephews, cousins, plus Glendas five children, eleven grandchildren and extended family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Please share a memory or condolence with Johns family at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com

Memorial Ceremony Saturday, October 14, 2023 12:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,MI 49307