Stephen Monte

Funeral Services for Steve Monte, 69, of Flippin, AR will be 10 AM Saturday, January 3, 2015, at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church in Mountain Home, AR with Father Norbert Rappold as Celebrant. Visitation will be Friday, January 2, 2015, from 5-7 PM at Kirby & Family Funeral Home in Bull Shoals, AR with a Vigil Service at 7PM officiated by Deacon Bob Crawford. Pallbearers will be Tim Disalvo, Stephen Monte, Johnny Weakley, Eddie Bayouth, Bob Hegerman and David Human. Burial will be private at Fairview Cemetery.

Steve passed away suddenly on December 29, 2014 due to complications from recent surgery.

Steve was born August 9, 1945, in St. Louis, MO to Stephen Vincent and Virginia Vento Monte. Over the years of Steve's life, he had many loving family members, many lifelong friends, and many, many stories to share. At a young age growing up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Steve discovered his passion for the outdoors and knew that north Arkansas was the place for him. Any free day or week-end he had, Steve would travel to Bull Shoals Lake. At the age of 23 Steve was blessed to meet Vicki and they married in 1970. With Vicki by his side, they packed up and started a life in Fairview. AR.

When pursuing his career choices, Steve soon realized that he was gifted in sales. He was a successful business owner with Fisherman's Center in Lakeview and later Steve's Boats in Bull Shoals. He also excelled in bridal/formal apparel sales and was a leader in the industry. Many of his business associates have become his life-long friends.

Steve was a devoted husband to Vicki (44 years) and father to Victoria and Stephen. He traveled often with work but always found time for family. His pride and joy were his four grandchildren - Jake, Sophia, Mia and Lola. They brought him much happiness.

During Steve's busy life he enjoyed his passion of duck hunting, deer hunting and fishing. At the “duck house” in the delta region of AR he enjoyed and loved everyone he met during his adventures. Steve was blessed to be hunting with Vicki by his side earlier in the day that he passed away. Duck season was always too short for him, as was his life with us.

Steve is survived by his wife, Vicki Monte; children, Victoria Disalvo (Tim) and Stephen Monte (Elizabeth) both of Memphis, TN; sister, Mary Longrais (Tony) of St. Louis, MO; sister-in-law, Amy Johnson of Bull Shoals, AR; mother-in law, Jane Anderson of Bull Shoals, AR; grandchildren, Sophia and Lola Monte and Jake and Mia Disalvo; nieces, Marisa Human (David) of St. Louis, MO and Abby Johnson of Bloomington, IL; great-nephews, David and Anthony Human of St. Louis, MO and the Johnny Weakley family of Memphis, TN. His parents preceded him in death.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital or Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Arrangements are by Kirby & Family Funeral & Cremation Services.