Monday, May 4th, 2015
Donna Monty
Donna Lea Monty was born June 4, 1929 and passed peacefully from this earth April 30, 2015 at 6:30 P.M. at the Elmwood Assisted Living in New Bremen.
Donna was preceded in death by her beloved parents Julius "Pete" and Iva Barker of Phoenix, AZ; beloved brother Jay Barker of Fresno, CA; beloved husband of 57 years John Ottavio Monty I of Beckley, WV and beloved son John "Johnny" Ottavio Monty II of Phoenix, AZ.
Donna is survived by her sister Patsy Apple of Mesa, Arizona; son Timothy (Kathy) Monty of Ft. Collins, Colorado.; son Gregory (Francoise) Monty of Lawrence, Kansas; daughter Tiziana (Scott) Monty-Frey of New Bremen, Ohio and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Monty of Tempe, AZ. Surviving grand-children include Pete (Muriel) Monty; Joe (Laura) Monty; Gregory Monty Jr.; Natalie Monty; Gillian Monty; Ian Frey; and great grand-daughters Mikabella Monty and Lucy Monty. Donna is also survived by her nephew Spencer (Dominee) Apple; niece Tony (Glen) Kirch; niece Rory (Ed) Smith; niece Cindy (Bob) Cain; and nephew Drew (Shantel) Barker. Donna is survived by several grand-nieces and nephews and her cousins Sylvia Monty of St. Albans, WV and Maria Ray of Nitro, WV.
Donna was born in Joplin, Missouri to Julius "Pete" and Iva Barker, the youngest of three children. Donna went to school and graduated high school in Missouri, before the family moved to Phoenix, AZ to begin a new life together out west.
Donna met her husband John while he was stationed at Luke AFB in Phoenix, Arizona. They married and after John's Air Force service concluded, they moved back to St. Albans West Virginia (John's hometown) to raise their family.
Donna managed their household affairs and the finances of the family business (Monty Brothers Construction) while John operated the business with his uncle Luigi, then on his own with Donna, with help from John's cousin Sylvia Monty until they retired together.
As the business grew to serve the coal mining industry, John and Donna built their beautiful home in Beckley, WV where they could be closer to the coal fields of SE West Virginia.
"Granny West Virginia" as she was known by her grandchildren, loved cooking for family. She lovingly prepared the Monty and Barker family recipes and hosted many a joyous family meal at their home in Beckley, WV.
Donna loved traveling the country, seeing the sights with John, in their motor home. Donna especially loved visiting all her family in Arizona, California, Colorado, Kansas and Ohio.
Donna collected Kewpie dolls and traveled several times to Branson, Missouri to take part in the annual Kewpiesta collector's gathering. Donna was also an avid flower gardener, keeping the flowerbeds at their home in Beckley, WV neat, tidy, and teeming with color.
Donna loved dogs very much and enjoyed the companionship of many wonderful dogs throughout her life. She always called the dogs her "kids."
Donna and John were both devout Roman Catholics and members of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish in Beckley, WV. Following her husband's death, Donna moved to New Bremen, Ohio to be close to her daughter, Tiziana and her grandson, Ian.
We'll always remember Granny West Virginia for her beautiful sense of style, her kind smile, warm heart, and love of family.
Visitation will be held for friends and family on Wednesday May 6, 2015 from 5pm – 7 pm at Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen, Ohio with a memorial service to follow at 7 pm.
Mrs. Monty's cremated remains will be laid to rest with her family in Phoenix, AZ following a memorial service later this summer.
Visit www.gilberghartwigfh.com to leave condolences.
Memorial donations can be made to the Auglaize County Council on Aging, PO Box 215, St. Marys, Ohio 45885.
