Monte Dunlavy

Monte Dunlavy, a resident of Portland, passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. 

Monte was born February 22, 1932, in Milton, West Virgina, the son of James and Clara (Hicks) Dunlavy. 

Monte graduated from Milton High School in 1950 and started working for Blenko Glass Co. in Milton. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 and served four years as a radioman aboard the USS Kearsarge, an attack aircraft carrier. He served one year in Korea, one year in the South China Sea and two years in Vietnam. Monte was awarded seven campaign medals with one battle star for Tachen Islands and two stars for his service in Korea. 

Upon returning to Milton, Monte worked for Blenko Glass Co., Fenton Art Glass Co. in West Virginia, Indiana Glass Co. and St. Clair Glass in Indiana before starting Dunlavy Glass Co. in Portland, Indiana. Dunlavy Glass was sold/exhibited in all 50 states and 10 foreign countries. Dunlavy Glass made the glass balls in the rail separating the dining area from the dance floor in the Rainbow Room in the restoration of the Rockefeller Center in New York City. He was also included in Brockway’s “Who’s Who of American Glassmakers” and the International Marble Makers’ “Who’s Who” domestic section compiled by Bert Cohen of Boston, Massachusetts. 

After closing Dunlavy Glass, Monte became a managing broker with Century 21 Advance Realty in Portland and was a member of West Walnut Church of Christ. 

Survivors include his wife Marada Murrell Dunlavy; daughter Tonya Dunlavy Hammers; son James T. Dunlavy (wife: Regina); two granddaughters, Jennifer Hammers Bjurstrom (husband: Bobby) and Abbigayle Dunlavy Smith (husband: Kevin); two grandsons, Samuel Dunlavy and Adam Foster (wife: Amber); two great-granddaughters, Taylor Bjustrom and Alexandra Bjustrom; and two great-grandsons, Archie Foster and Hank Smith. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a son-in-law, Doug Hammers. 

Visitation will be held on Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland

Private graveside services will be held at Marion National Cemetery in Marion, Indiana.