TYLER JACOB MONTES

MUSCATINE, Iowa – Tyler Jacob Montes, 29, passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 am on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the funeral home. The Reverend Chris Weber will officiate. Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com.

Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Tyler’s dad, Efrain Montes.

Tyler was born on November 21, 1996, in Peoria, Illinois, the son of Efrain Montes and Sallie Michele Russo. Tyler fought the long, brave and courageous fight against liver cancer.

When Tyler was a teenager, he participated in the Police Explorers program with the Muscatine Police Department. He enjoyed fishing and fixing gadgets. Above all, he cherished spending time with his family and his therapy dog, Abby.

He graduated from Muscatine High School, where his knowledge and proficiency in welding led him to assist with the welding class. He later attended Scott Community College, working toward a career as a diesel mechanic, and was only a few months away from completing his Diesel Mechanics Degree. During his time there, he made the president’s honor roll multiple times and earned several certifications.

Tyler was a very special student and a true go-getter whose mechanical abilities were built on hard work and a constant drive to learn.

Tyler and his father bought a boat, looking forward to future fishing trips and quality time together. After the purchase, Tyler taught himself how to replace the bearings on a 40HP lower unit boat motor—a task he had never attempted before. Like his father, he was remarkably intellectual, possessing a natural talent for disassembling, rebuilding, and fixing just about anything.

Tyler was the light of his father’s life and his father was very proud of him and his accomplishments. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Those left to honor his memory are his father, Efrain Montes; his mother, Michele Russo; brother, Tony Russo and his wife Samantha; his aunt, Maggie Prelar; his uncle, Eleazar Montes; several nieces and nephews; close friends James Kulaga, Jason Costas and his family; Tyler’s diesel mechanic teacher at Scott Community College, Ken Hunter; and his devoted pet, Abby.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents; and many aunts and uncles.