Date of Birth
April 4, 1934
Date of Death
July 16, 2023
Earl Montgomery, age 89, of Sugar Grove, educator of thousands and the reason many fell in love with science, slipped his earthly bonds and into the great laboratory in the sky Sunday, July 16, 2023. Now free to build as many theories and experiments as he wants, Earl looks down with love and mischief, leaving memories to last a lifetime.
He was born on April 4, 1934, in Batavia, IL, to loving parents, Luther and Anna Montgomery.
Earl grew up in Batavia and attended local schools. He graduated from Marmion Military Academy with the class of 1952.
He continued his education at St. Procopius, now Illinois Benedictine University and eventually received his master’s degree in science and education from Northern Illinois University. He found the first love of his life in Kathleen Wolf and they were united in marriage in 1963. The family grew to include three children and between filled their lives with laughter and love until her passing in 1975.
He parlayed his passion for science into a teaching career that lasted many generations of students, each one found a man whose inner child couldn’t help but shine when sharing all the wonders of the world. Earl began an amazing tenure at Kaneland Schools in 1958, and it was in those halls that he found love again with fellow teacher, Carol (Foster) Gage. Earl could probably draw you an equation for the chemical reaction the first time they met, but all you needed to do was look in his eyes and know a connection had been made. They walked down the aisle on June 19, 1982, in Battle Creek, MI.
They began their new life together in Sugar Grove where Carol helped to make their house a home, and Earl made the basement his personal scientific lair, filled with the chaos of learning, experiments and thousands of hours of study.
Earl hand built more than experiments. His nimble fingers built furniture, cabinets, bedroom sets and countless ducks, and loons carved out of wood; he even created a mini bulldozer from scrap. He was very proud of building a mahogany 3 point sports hydro boat, whose plans were found in Popular Science Magazine. He had a scientist’s mind but an artist’s heart, exploring his technique and talent on drawing paper and in his portfolio. Recently his interest was piqued with aquaponics and hydroponics with dreams of strawberries of every kind, as well as spinach and beets. Music filled his soul and when he wasn’t listening to big band and jazz, he made it himself playing the piano and accordion. He loved to be on the water in one of his sail boats and wet a line at any watering hole he encountered, hoping to catch the big one instead of just saying he did. Earl just couldn’t sit still and many times there weren’t enough hours in a day for everything he wanted to accomplish. We are now left with the feeling there weren’t enough years to know and love him, but the ones we were granted have become priceless and will never be forgotten.
He leaves his loving wife of 41 years, Carol Montgomery; three children: Anna Marie Seidelman, Marcia Montgomery and Mark (Ann) Montgomery; as well as two step-children: Jennifer Gage and Stephanie (John) Hoffer; seven grandchildren: Collin and Brianna Seidelman, Cole and Logan Montgomery, Katie, Julia and Johnny Hoffer; one sister, Margaret Lamberton; many nieces, nephews, cousins and a countryside of students turned friends who will miss him dearly.
He is reunited with his parents, Luther and Anna; his first wife, Kathleen (Wolf) Montgomery; one brother, Floyd Montgomery; and a son-in-law, Terry Seidelman, who preceded him in death.
A memorial visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, July 21, 2023, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. Private family services and burial will follow cremation at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in his name to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or anything that has to do with conservation or the environment. Memories and tributes may also be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.
A memorial visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, July 21, 2023, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. Private family services and burial will follow cremation at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in his name to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society or anything that has to do with conservation or the environment. Memories and tributes may also be left on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.
My deepest sympathies to Mr. Montgomery’s family. Carol, I have thought of you often. Much love to you. May you be comforted by knowing how much Earl was loved and respected by so many.
One of the very foremost impactful people across all of my life. Knowing this precious Human Being since I was fourteen years of age. A deeply kind, insightful, vibrant soul. A man as brilliant as Lieutenant Colombo, whom I always felt he resembled. Earl noted that ‘I don’t teach science. I teach life.’ Incredibly true. It has been a deep blessing to know, cherish, and love this gentleman for fifty years. His loss is immense. A treasure across a lifetime. Made such by the special heart and the beautiful spirit of One dedicated to others. Never seeking anything for himself. But One who gave all. Thank you to Carol, whom Earl treasured beyond measure. One encounters someone such as this so very rarely in life. Earl J. Montgomery shall be with my mind, heart, and spirit across all time.
Mr Montgomery,
Thank you for taking the time and helping a kid going through some stuff in 1984. Our conversation has stuck with me my entire life. Thank you. Thank you for being a fantastic teacher and person.
Rest in peace Mr Montgomery. Condolences to Mrs Montgomery and your family.
Jason Dorneden
Rest in Peace, Mr. Montgomery. Thanks for all the fish.
Our deepest condolences Mr Montgomery will truly be missed
Dr.Meschi Dr.Zhang and staff Rush Copley
The measure of a man is the difference made in the lives of others. Not ever readily thought of, nor realized with any thought, by the man himself. For those who make a difference really never keep a scorecard. The true Heroes in our lives give purely of themselves without even capturing the magnitude of what they are doing, for it is done all without any return perceived, or ever accepted, without any motive, except to make that difference out of imparting the gift of genuine love. That was Earl J. Montgomery. And that shall always be Earl J. Montgomery. A Hero in the truest sense. Not merely at all to me, but to so many I have known and know still. God celebrate and honor this vibrant, gentle, brilliant Spirit.
My family was so blest that Mom found Mr. Montgomery to come give us organ lessons in the late 1960’s. We lived two miles north of Lily Lake on Silver Glen Road. My two brothers, Mom, and I all enjoyed our time with him. The lesson was supposed to be a half hour, but if you knew Mr. Montgomery, you know how he always made time to talk. Playing the organ gave me enjoyment and confidence, especially as an early adolescent. Then again, his questions about life in general probably helped that along. When Dad had finished milking, he and Mr. Montgomery could often talk for another hour.
I extend my sympathy and prayers to all of his family. I can only guess at how much you will miss him, as your beautifully written obituary shows us.
Please accept my sincerest condolences for the passing of your beloved father. Your dad touched a lot of people’s lives – mine included. I’m so glad I got the chance to know him, and I’m heartbroken that you lost your dad who you loved so much. Your dad was one of the kindest people and he put other people first before himself. My prayers and thoughts are with the entire family.
God Bless!
For many years it was our privilege and delight to be neighbors of Earl, Carol and all three children in Sugar Grove. With his energy, ready wit, ever-present smile and endless scientific research, Earl brought countless mesmerizing conversations to life at neighborhood gatherings as well as individual chats.
His joy for life had a positive effect on everyone near him.
Sincerely,
Tom and Kay Carson
Mr. Montgomery was so good at what he did that even in your addled, adolescent brain of the time you were aware you were dealing with one of the best teachers you would have in life. I remember watching, as a kid, Mr. Montgomery deal with young people’s life issues, of the kind that teachers removed from the day to day books and chalkboards of the classroom can be involuntarily drawn into at a moments notice with sensitivity, insightfulness and intelligence. You knew your were being taught by a man that was honest and a man that cared. He went the extra mile. Decades later I met Mr. Montgomery by accident and we had such a pleasant conversation. I felt like I was greeting an old friend…and I was.