Stephen "Stevie" Thomas Montez, 24 of Champaign, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Carle Hospital, Champaign. A memorial visitation will be held in the Parish Center of Holy Cross Catholic Church, Parish Center, Champaign from 4-7 PM Tuesday, July 21, 2015. Visitation is 4-7 PM Wednesday at Van Hoe Funeral Home Ltd., East Moline, where a rosary will be recited at 6:30PM. Funeral services are 10 AM Thursday at St. Anne Catholic Church, East Moline. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline. Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Catholic School, Champaign. Stevie was born April 6, 1991, in Urbana Son of Ben and Margaret Montez. He had one sister Ramona Ines, who was closer than any friend he could ever have. Steve graduated from St. Thomas More High School, and in 2014 graduated with honors from the University of Illinois with a degree in Horticulture. Steve was a wrestler, gardener, wood carver and loved to make small clay sculptures by hand. He helped found and coach the Saber Wrestling club with his dad while attending college. He helped coach the Junior Illini wrestling club as an olympic style greco roman wrestling coach. He had also begun to officiate wrestling after he moved away to begin his job. He also played rugby with the Champaign County Flatlanders for a short while. He loved working with kids on the wrestling teams and was selfless with his time. His clay penguin soldiers were collector items among teachers at St Thomas More who took them because he was making them in class. He loved a good joke and always had one at the ready or "one in the chamber" as he described it. He was also an outstanding gardener and leaves a legacy garden to his family that will be enjoyed for many years. He was also the best son and brother a family could have, kind, funny, humble, and generous to a fault. He had the heart of a wrestler and the soul of an artist. He was employed by Bailey Nurseries in Onarga, IL at the time of his passing. Stevie was preceded in death by his grand parents, Jess and Carol (Valle) Montez, Thomas and Emma (Jackques) McGuire, Uncle Daniel Montez, Aunt Lenore Chavez and Aunt Banh Montez. He is survived by Aunts Rebecca (Bruce) VanHouten, Marilyn (John) Cross, Debra (Mark)Decker, Marina Castel, Monica McColley, Martha Haire, Louise (Perry) Ramirez, Marcella Montez and Uncles Al Montez, Luz Montez, Jerry (Norma) Montez and his godfather Stephen (Carla) Montez. He has dozens of cousins on all sides who will miss him greatly, but especially Chris, Katie and John Montez of Peoria, Illinois to whom he had a special bond. Steve also will be missed greatly by his dogs, Calabacita (Cita) and Tamale (Molly).

.