Montag

Donald Norman Montag, 94, of Sarver passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday Oct. 17, 2024.

Donald was a child of God; son of Norman and Alma Montag (née Andree); youngest brother of Roland Montag, Margaret Anderson, and Lillian Montag; beloved husband of 64 years to Mary Jean Montag (née Borer); father to Judy Fesko (Steven), Debbie McCorkindale (Greg), Stefanie Keelan (Pete), and Jonathan Montag (Meg); Pop Pop to his six grandchildren, Sam, Luke, Jamie, Alex (Ashley), MaryBeth and Marissa.

Donald was a member of St Luke’s Lutheran Church for his entire life. He attended a one room school at St. Luke’s and helped to shovel coal into the pot belly stove on chilly mornings after walking to school in newspaper lined boots (uphill both ways!). He would run home after school to listen to his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates on the radio when they were playing. At St. Luke’s under the tutelage of Mr. O.J. Nicol, he learned the Bible verses that shaped his life. Donald was exceptionally gifted at math in school which served him well in his later career.

Donald was drafted into the Army in 1951. Half his battalion went to the Korean War and the other half to the occupation in Germany. He was in the fortunate group that went to Germany. In his later years, when his family traveled to Europe and asked if he wanted to come, he would say, “Already been there and don’t have to go back.” He was never a fan of oatmeal or creamed chipped beef on toast after his service in the Army!

He told his family he never thought he would marry anyone from the area. He met his future wife, Mary Jean Borer, on her first day in Pennsylvania after she was called to be a teacher at St. Luke’s. She grew up in Minnesota, but stayed in Cabot after meeting this quiet man with the booming bass voice at the church choir rehearsal.

Donald and Mary Jean married in Windom, Minn. on July 23, 1960. The day was so hot that the candles began to melt and the frosting on the cake made the layers slip. They were blessed with four children in the following five years — Judy, Debbie, Stefanie and Jonathan. A houseful of loud children grew into a household of loud musical children. Donald was chief chauffeur for piano lessons to Pittsburgh, instrumental lessons in various suburbs around Butler, marching band performances and Friday night football games.

Donald worked finances for 70 years at St. Luke’s as the treasurer for a number of years and as a money counter. He was also Sunday School superintendent. He and Mary Jean led a Marriage and Family Enrichment Group for many years. He also taught a Sunday school class for teenagers before their children were teens.

Every summer, Donald grew a huge garden to feed his family. There were hundreds of quarts of strawberries that were sold to allow the family to travel to Minnesota every summer; bushels of tomatoes to can; corn, beans, and peas to put in the freezer, and many raspberries from the plants that came from his aunt’s farm. All his children inherited his love of gardening.

Donald’s entire 48-year work career was spent at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Company, where he was able to use his love of numbers. When he retired, he was the Supervisor of Cost and Maintenance Control. He continued that love of numbers beyond retirement as he prepared his own taxes every year including this most current year.

Once his children were married and had children of their own, his name became Pop Pop, because that is what his oldest grandchild began calling him. Pop Pop played trains, cards, table top mini golf and traveled to many parts of the country with his children and grandchildren. They delighted in listening to his stories and songs. They will share those stories with anyone who asks.

Donald was a steady, faithful presence that enabled him to be a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather as the person who listened to the chatter around him; took it all in; and responded (with humor) as needed. His sense of humor is one of the things that his family will miss most!

MONTAG — Visitation for Donald Norman Montag, who died Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, at the FOX FUNERAL HOME, Saxonburg.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, at the St. Luke Lutheran Church, 330 Hannahstown Road, Cabot with the Revs. Brian Bocian, Ben Berteau and Jared Townley officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to St Luke’s Lutheran School — the place where his faith was nurtured, his wife taught for 45 years, and his own children learned their “4 R’s” (Reading, ‘Riting, ‘Rithmetic, and Religion).

To God Be the Glory.

For more information, please visit www.foxfuneralhomeinc.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.