Robert George Montavon

Robert George Montavon, 86, born 7/13/1939 in Sublette, IL. passed away 3/11/2026 in Port Charlotte, FL.

Bob was raised on a farm in North Central(West Brooklyn), IL. His parents were Fred and Dorothy(Hoerner) Montavon. During High School, he met his sweetheart Lavonne Bonnell and they were married on 12/31/1960. Bob was a proud Army Veteran. During his childhood he spent time in the summers in Northern Minnesota, where he found his love of fishing and told Lavonne when they were married he wanted to move to Minnesota someday.

By 1965 he made that dream come true by moving to Minneapolis. Bob started his career in the car business where he was a Parts Manager. When his good friend Fred Bame gave him an opportunity to sell oil and lubricants in northern Minnesota, he finally made it to his Happy Fishing area in Grand Rapids.

Bob and Lavonne raised their 4 children in Grand Rapids. In the mid 70's, they purchased the Ford Dealership in Coleraine then later built a new Ford Store in Grand Rapids. He and Lavonne ran that car business for 30 years until their retirement.

During Bob's life his true loves were family, friends, his pug Spanky, fun, fishing and his faith in God. You could not always be sure what order those things came in. After retirement he and Lavonne found his next fishing hole at Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda, Florida. Bob loved his 30 years of fishing Charlotte Harbor and was widely known as an expert fisherman. His summers were spent guiding fishermen at the Hook'n Horn on Rowan Lake in Ontario. He loved that place and it holds many of his favorite memories. He and Lavonne had many lovely adventures of travel and fun with friends. He will be missed by all.

Along with his wife Lavonne, he is survived by his children Lori (Dan) Petermeier, Sheri (Jeff) Wright, Jodi (Peter) Brazerol and Dan (Jacque) Montavon. His grandchildren, Tiffany (Sam) Decker, Kelsey (Jay) Anderson, Gina (Bryan) Weber, Lauren (Eric) Peterson, Jacob Wright, Dakoda, Angel Johni, Bailee, Ryker (Jadae) Brazerol, Robbie (Meghan) Montavon. Great Grandchildren Jack, Blake, Gracie, Oliver, Noah, Sawyer, Violet, Felix and Sullivan.

A memorial service will be held at the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Mendota, Illinois, on Friday, May 22, 2026, with a gathering of family and friends at 9:30 AM and service at 10:30 AM.