Eric "Rick" Montague

Eric "Rick" Montague of Deford, age 71, passed away, following a lingering illness, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center in Saginaw, with his loving family by his side. Rick was born November 5, 1946 in Trenton, the son of the late Theron Montague & Thelma Rosalie Thompson. He enlisted with the U.S. Navy in 1966 and served as a jet mechanic in the VF-51 Fighter Squadron, stationed in San Diego and Viet Nam, until his honorable discharge in 1969. Rick owned and operated Rick's Machine Shop in Deford for many years and was a member of the Caro Moose Lodge #1049 and Caro VFW Post #4164. He was an outgoing, naturally social person that also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time in his shop. Rick is survived by three daughters and their spouses, Sheila & Kevin Nicholas of Vassar, Erica & Gerald Dibble of Caro, Sabrina Pickering of Battle Creek; eight grandchildren, Olivia Pacheco and her husband, Cameron, of Houston, Texas, Tyler Nicholas of Cass City, Jamie Dibble of Caro, Jason Dibble of Caro, Cody Deck of Marlette, Daverick Pickering, Hunter Pickering, Amelia Pickering, all of Battle Creek; one brother and his wife, Carl "Moose" & Nancy Montague of Caro; two sisters, Charlene Montague-Blankenship of Wasilla, Alaska, Terri Montague of Copper Center, Alaska; special "step-daughter," Tracey Chaney and her son, Nicholas Ruiz of Akron. In addition to his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his special friend, Judy Matthews in 2012. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Chaplain Ray Ramsay officiating. The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at a later date at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contributions to the Montague Family Discretionary Fund, c/o Sheila Nicholas, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723. Visitation Information Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 Time: 4:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Thursday, July 26, 2018 Time: 11:00 am Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro with Chaplain Ray Ramsay officiating. Cemetery Information Burial with military honors will follow at a later date at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.