Ronald Peter Monge, 79, of Taylorville passed away at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, December 17, 2017 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.   He was born on April 29, 1938 in Taylorville, the son of John and Catherine (Bellino) Monge. Ron married Barbara Braat on August 20, 1966 at St. Mary’s Church in Taylorville. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Illinois University in 1960 and in 1963 received his Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois. Ron taught building trades and industrial arts classes in Taylorville for over 35 years and was known by his students as “Chief-O”. Through Chief-O’s teaching and leadership, he instilled life-long skills and work ethic in the many students he taught throughout the years. He also spent many years as a football and track coach in Taylorville. Ron was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Carpenter’s Union, TPA, and a social member of the Kincaid American Legion. In his free time Ron enjoyed fishing, gardening, and woodworking, especially building wooden toys for his grandchildren.

Ron is survived by his wife: Barbara Monge of Taylorville; daughters: Virginia “Ginny” Monge (Deane Walker) of Concord, California, and Carol Lee Sain (Shon) of Wilmington, Delaware; grandchildren: Bailey Sain, Alex Walker, Jack Walker, and Lily Sain; siblings: Elizabeth Lisak of Itasca, Illinois and Julio Monge of Taylorville; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: John, Margaret, Lillian, and Donald Monge.

Funeral Mass for Ron will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 22, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Taylorville with Monsignor David Lantz and Fr. Mariadas Chatla officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery in Taylorville. Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 5 until 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church. A prayer service will be held at 4:45 p.m., prior to the visitation on Thursday. The family would like to invite Chief-O’s former building trades boys to serve as Honorary Pallbearers for his service. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Church, St. Mary’s School, or the American Heart Association. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memories of Ron, or condolences to his family, may be left online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.