Clifton Riley "Cliff" Montgomery

A funeral service celebrating the life of Clifton Riley "Cliff" Montgomery, age 76, of Thornville, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 23, at Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Montgomery officiating. Burial will take place in Smith Chapel Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, October 22, at the funeral home, 179 Granville Street in Newark.

Clifton was born August 4, 1947 in Portsmouth, Ohio to the late Oakley and Ella (Jenkins) Montgomery. He passed away on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at his home. Cliff was an over the road truck driver for many years and traveled to many states during his career. He was a musician and enjoyed playing the guitar, singing, and listening to music.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Donald “Bo” and Tiffany Montgomery of Rarden; daughters, Jodie and Mike Lockridge and Malydia Montgomery and Eric Smith, all of Rock Hill, South Carolina; 12 grandchildren, Nancy, Mikayla, Donald, Isabella, Dustin, Myriah, Tyler, Jackson, Addison, Levi, Gunner, and Harper; five great-grandchildren, Keyston, Caiden, Thomas, Koda, and Larson; sister, Freda M. Blevins of Thornville; very special girlfriend, Janice Phillips of Newark; sister-in-law, Marlene Montgomery; significant other of his brother Charles, Frances Haynes of Portsmouth; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Roseannia Kay Montgomery Clay; siblings, Julius (Lura) Montgomery, Octavia (Clarence) Angle, Monroe (Eula Montgomery, Joan (Robert) Neighbarger, Charles (Virginia) Montgomery, and Merle Montgomery; and brother-in-law, Hugh Blevins.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio Living Hospice, 9200 Worthington Rd., Suite 300, Columbus, OH 43082.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Cliff and his family.