Mourning the Passing of Friends: Forthcoming Funeral Services

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose.  All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” ~ Helen Keller

Forthcoming funeral services are planned for the following friends from our community. Complete versions of these obituaries may also be found in The Payson Chronicle.

DUAYNE "DODE" MONTAGUE

Duayne “Dode” Charles Montague, 81, of Salem, left this earthy life September 4th, 2018 to join his family waiting for him on the other side. Dode was born in Payson, Utah on July 26, 1937 to Vivian and Lizzy (Balzly) Montague. Dode grew up in Payson and spent his youth working on the family farm in Benjamin.

He attended Trade Technical College to become a journeyman brick mason which was his profession until his retirement. He was proud to belong to the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsman Trowel and Trade Union. He continued to pay his union dues until the time of his death. Many of his closest friends were fellow co-workers of his trade. He was a skilled mason and donated his talents to many projects throughout Salem City. The ones he was most proud of were the original baseball dugouts at Veteran Ballpark, rockwork on the old pioneer cabin on Salem Pond, and the “Welcome to Salem” sign. Because of these selfless acts he earned the Volunteer Citizen of the Year award for Salem City, which he was very proud of and humbled by.

He became a husband and father when her married Leone “Bluey” Lunceford, August 29th, 1964; accepting her two children, JoDee and Sam, as his own. Within a few more years they welcomed two more children, Wendi and Brad. He was a wonderful father and one of his greatest accomplishments was teaching his kids how to work. Bluey passed away on October 5, 2004.

He cherished his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always supported them in their various activities, and never missed a birthday.

He enjoyed coaching youth baseball, raising pigs, and discussing anything from politics to farming over a good cup of coffee with his friends at Bud’s Conoco and later at Fast Gas.

He is survived by his children JoDee (Dave) Hilton, Sam (Joan) Lunceford, Wendi (Dave) Keele, Brad (Jenny) Montague; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, one granddaughter, Erica Leone Montague, his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 8th at 11:00 a.m. at the Salem West Stake Center, 695 S 300 W, Salem, Utah. Family and friends may visit on Saturday morning prior to the services from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Salem City Cemetery.

Dode lived a life filled with service to others; in lieu of flowers be of service to someone.