Linal Montei

Linal P. Montei, age 88, passed away Sunday, March 27, 2011 at Amazing Love AFC Home in Caro, following a lingering illness. Linal was born November 11, 1922 in Fairgrove Township, the son of the late Otto & Bessie (Dowling) Montei, and was a lifelong Fairgrove Township resident. Following his graduation from Caro High School in 1941, Linal joined with his father and brother, Paul, on the family farm. He was united in marriage with the former Mary Margaret (Peggy) Brownell on June 25, 1988 at the Ames United Methodist Church in Saginaw. Linals passion was growing and harvesting sugar beets, and spent the majority of his farm career growing sugar beets. He was a former member of the board of directors of the Caro Sugar Beet Growers Association and the Farm Bureau. During his free time, Linal enjoyed wood working and reading his complete collection of Louis LAmour books . Linal is survived by his loving wife of over twenty-two years, Peggy Montei; one son, two daughters and their spouses, Jeff & Helena Montei of Fairgrove, Joanne & Timothy Wichlinski of Hope, Jeanne Montei-Brunet of Caro; two step-children, Joseph Matta of Caro and Laura Lambert of Bay City; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Scott & Wenona Wichlinski, Heidi & Sebastian Bishop, Jamie & Josh Whalen, Sydney & Eduardo Pineda, Kyle Brunet, Kayla & John Garber, Amanda Lambert, Samantha Matta; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Martha McAlpine of Caro, Shirley & Wayne Binder of Caro; one sister-in-law, Margaret Montei; one brother-in-law, James K. Brownell; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Linal was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Mary Elizabeth (Liz) Montei on March 6, 1993; one grandson, Griffin Brunet; his brother, Paul; three sisters and their spouses, Doris & Bob Enos, Irene & Roman Smith, Lucille & Reg Ashmun; and one brother-in-law, Meredith McAlpine.