Mrs. Joan Irene Montella, age 79, of Pentwater, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016. She was born November 6, 1936, in Chicago, IL to Frank and Eleanor (Przepiorske) Galfano. She married Joseph J. Montella on September 24, 1955 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lombard, IL; they were married for fifty-six years before his passing on November 24, 2011. Joe and Joan owned the Pentwood Cottages on Monroe Road for ten years, and with their 2 boys worked very hard to make the business successful. After running a business and raising two boys Joan decided to take care of some unfinished business of her own. She returned to school to obtain her GED and a degree in nursing. Joan completed her registered nursing degree at West Shore Community College and worked at the Oceana Hospital as an ER nurse, and also at the Oceana County Medical Care Facility, retiring in 2000. After her retirement Joan enjoyed gardening and trips to the Little River Casino where she loved playing the slot machines. Joan is survived by two sons, Joseph Francis (Diane) Montella of St. Joseph and Jeffrey (Marylou Bergren) Montella of Whitehall, MI; four grandchildren, John Lola, Mark Lola, Jacob Schroeder, Ryan Schroeder; one great-grandchild, Genevieve Lola; two sisters, Barb (Bob) Hartline of Martin, TN, Fran (Roger) Slisz of Lombard, IL, and her dear friend Del Patton. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Joseph Montella; sister Leona Hampton, and brother, Frankie Galfano. The Memorial Service for Mrs. Montella will be Saturday, March 19, 2016, at 11:00 am at King Funeral Home in Hart with Father Phillip Sliwinski officiating. Interment will be in Pentwater Township Cemetery. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Oceana County Council on Aging, 621 East Main Street, Hart, MI 49420.