He was born on April 1, 1934, in Sterling, the son of Albert and Vivian Chronister. He was drafted into the Korean War and served in the US Army. He married Kay (Anderson) Chronister on April 29, 1972. Monty worked at R. C. Smith Bus Transportation as a Diesel mechanic, where he retired. He and Kay enjoyed boating on the Mississippi River for more than 40 years at Island City Harbor Marina, Sabula, Iowa. This is where they kept their Mainship boat. They enjoyed traveling to South Padre Island, Texas, during the winter.
Survivors include his wife Kay (Anderson) Chronister, sons: Mark Chronister (Margie), Scott Brown (Diane); daughters: Jane Chronister (Patty), and Mindy Sinn; grandchildren: Misty (Loren) Raines, Jennifer (David) Cox, Brandon (Lindsey) Brown, Lindsey Brown, Adam (Sam) Powell, Sarah (Kaylee) Powell, Emma Sinn; great-grandchildren: Zoey and Ansley Raines, Emma and Alex Cox, Ellie and Beckett Brown, Hayes and Brooks Powell.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kim (Bill) Bloom, sisters Florence (Ralph) Zigler, Sandy (Paul) Simester, Nancy (John) Heath, and Charlotte Conley.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 9-10 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 717 Stover Avenue in Milledgeville. The funeral will follow at 10 AM. Burial will conclude at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Sterling.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Trinity Lutheran Church.
