Timothy Irwin Montney (T.I.M.) was born on January 16, 1955, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Betty Louise (Hinton) and Clayton Adrian Montney. He was the youngest of nine (9) children. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Clifford, and three sisters, Emma Jane Montney, Mary Ann Kogler and Janet Sue Fitzgerald. He is survived by two brothers, John (Karen), of White Cloud and Joseph (Tami), of Grant, and two sisters, Nancy (late William) Fulton of Paris and Linda (late Oakie) Combs of Big Rapids. The family relocated to Muskegon, MI when Tim was still an infant. Tim was 7 when his father passed away. After losing his father at a very young age, it left his mother as a single parent that worked a lot. As he grew up, he was taken care of by his siblings to the best of their ability. When he was 12, he, his mother and two of his brothers moved to Brohman, MI. In the early 1970s he and his mother moved back to Muskegon where Tim attended Orchard View High School. He graduated in 1977. He worked for a time at Goodwill Industries in Muskegon, where he operated a baling machine in the warehouse. Tim loved to work and to earn a paycheck. He was very disappointed when Goodwill discontinued the Sheltered Work Program and worried about earning money, which caused a lot of havoc in the rest of his life. In the late 1980s, Tim went to live with his oldest sister, Nancy, who was granted guardianship of him. Eventually, Nancys daughter, Tims niece, Robin (and Lonnie) LaMadline, became his caregiver for the last 23 years. Uncle Tim got to live the best days of his life with Robin, Lonnie and their children and grandchildren. Their entire family provided unconditional love, support and care to Uncle Tim. He was a big part of their family, and their daily lives will forever be changed. Niece Robin understood him, accepted his disabilities and tried to make life easier for him. They shared many meaningful moments and Uncle Tim loved her to the best of his ability. Robin was truly his favorite person ever. Tims proudest role was being an uncle. He had a lot of nephews and nieces and relished that position! Nearly everyone he met; he told them that his name was Uncle Tim. Neighbors, friends of the family, nurses and more called him Uncle Tim. Our Uncle Tim was one of a kind! Most of what he endured in his lifetime, wouldnt be believed, comprehended or survived by most people. For nearly most of his life he was unparented, undiagnosed, untreated, untamed, unable to conform, mistreated, misaligned and very misunderstood. He was schooled, institutionalized, transported by the police, transferred from foster-home to foster-home, and medicated without success. To say that he had a complex personality is an understatement. He adapted and survived an outlandish life! Despite his uncontrollable circumstances he lived 69 long years, first diagnosed as being Developmentally Disabled. Finally diagnosed in his late 30s, with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). His unique personality was already rooted and unchangeable despite a multitude of mental health interventions, expert advice and services. He was undoubtedly resistant to rules, authority, and programming that tried to manage his behavior. He was gifted with the ability to read people. If you were not genuinely being kind or genuinely trying to help him, he sensed it. Any slight sarcasm or rudeness would feed his fury! Friend or foe, if he got mad enough, its likely that his shirt and glasses got ripped off and thrown to the ground and his fists were in the air coming after you. Once he got upset, it typically got worse before it got better, which was part of his TBI. He could be remorseful after lashing out, but struggled with appropriate emotional responses, and it would stir in his mind, and spark repeat incidents. He had a good memory and could recall most incidents. He did not let things go so easily. He was mostly honest, and his stories were truthful and shocking to most that heard them. Most of his family got to know his favorite curse words and the way he delivered them will never be forgotten! Mostly it was a high alert to "get the heck out the way"! Even animals that were around learned to run away! Sometimes there was enjoyment in his swearing, even accompanied by loud laughter. It was often a bit devilish for he really was humored by profanity and mayhem. The neighbors shared that they could hear him often, whether yelling or laughing. If anyone needs a reminder of what he sounded like, a couple of us can mimic his laugh and many of his unforgettable antics! He laughed a lot, especially while watching TV. He had his favorite shows, like Full-House, Golden Girls, Family Feud and Western movies. He knew the television schedule and would inform you of what time it would be on. He watched the weather forecast and would report that too. He liked the 60s and 70s music genre and would sing some of the words to the songs and knew some artists by name. He was a big fan of big TVs, VCR movies, cassette tapes, CDs and cable TV. He had to always have cable television and his remote in his hand. He enjoyed drinking coffee, eating snacks, and good hearty meals. He loved his apartment and living with Niece Robin. He would ask her to buy him toilet paper and "winning" lottery tickets. He had a strong desire to win the lottery and thought it would solve many life woes. He once had basic reading, writing and math skills. He loved to wear a wristwatch and used to read the newspaper daily. He used to ride a bike and drove a truck once. He believed in Santa Claus his entire life. He loved celebrating his birthday and getting greeting cards. He would rip each one open and look for money. He believed in God and was Baptized. He accepted Jesus into his heart and often prayed. He knew about Heaven and only doubted about going there once. He was convinced that there wouldnt be Niece Robins good food there, so he was reluctant to go. She had to convince him that her good food would be there. He would often pray or ask you to pray for him. He knew that he was handicapped and had seizures. He would fold his hands in front of his face and would start his prayer like this; "Dear Lord God, why did you born me this way?" It was the most heartfelt prayer ever heard and gosh, did it bring tears and true empathy. He really wanted to be healed. His TBI hindered his overall abilities and his quality of life, but he kept praying about it. If someone ever needed to learn love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, they need an Uncle Tim! Beyond the fruits of the Spirit, lessons of commitment, compassion, forgiveness, and advocacy were learned because of him. He was a huge part of our life, and he will never be forgotten. He influenced us in ways that we didnt always realize. Clearly God had a purpose for his life and truly gifted him to our family. Its an overwhelming feeling to know that Uncle Tim endured all that he did and lived a life of unrest but kept believing in God. He never wavered in his belief of Christ and kept living and praying despite the circumstances he faced. God sent him for us to learn so much of how we should all be living our lives. Rest in Heaven Uncle Tim. We know that you are free of sickness, pain and suffering. You deserve endless peace and happiness! There will be a MEMORIAL SERVICE for Timothy (Tim) Montney on Saturday, February 10th at 1 pm at St. Peters Lutheran Church - in the Gymnasium. 408 W. Bellevue, Big Rapids, MI 49307 Please SHARE and join us to remember and celebrate Tims life! Tims burial and final resting place will be at Merrill Township Cemetery in Brohman, MI in the Spring! Arrangements and care entrusted to Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Share a memory or leave a condolence for the family at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Memorial Service Saturday, February 10, 2024 1:00 PM St. Peter's Lutheran Church 408 West Bellevue Big Rapids,MI 49307