Joe A. Montana

Joe Arthur Montana Sr., 84, of Casa Grande died on April 28, 2014, at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix after a long illness.

An all-night wake at the recreational facility in Peach Springs will begin at 6 p.m. Friday. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel in Casa Grande, followed by the funeral at 3 p.m. Pastor Shane Montgomery and Pastor Jeremy Gee will officiate. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery.

Mr. Montana was born on Jan. 21, 1930, in Peach Springs and was a son of Benito Montana and Vera Tokespeta. He moved to Ajo and then to Casa Grande in 1980. He owned a contracting company, Montana & Beecher Construction, and worked for the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs for about 20 years. He then worked for Pinal County Public Works until he was 65 and retired, then worked for Almaguer Trucking Corp. for 10 years before having a stroke.

He was a Baptist. His passion was roping and playing his guitar, and he had a well-known band named Joe Montana and the Roadrunners.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Winnona M.; two sons, Joe A. Montana Jr. of Peach Springs and Andy Montana of Casa Grande; a daughter, Vera R. Pablo of Maricopa; 17 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.