Empowering Youth To Succeed

Met him in high school. Awesome and legendary New Year’s Eve parties. Phenomenal swimmer. Moved back to Bloomington in 2004 and had good fortune to hang out and travel w him and Jill. Also great that all my kids were swimmers- he was always so encouraging and supportive of them. What a kind, loving and good man❤️❤️

I have many memories of good conversations (from high school on) and of some very fun New Years Eve parties in the Rink basement. We had a great talk at the 2019 BHS reunion which I will always cherish.

We met through Funky Fish then BNSC swimming. We spent 2 summers traveling the Midwest for meets. They were and will continue to be some of the most cherished memories I have. I had a fantastic time and always felt so welcomed and loved. Thank you ❤️

First memory of meeting: 6th grade at a BHS basketball game. I was chatting up a Washington girl and Monte didn’t like that as I was a Stevenson kid. One of us said; “let’s step outside” We then spent the next 20 minutes daring each other to throw the first punch. Thank God neither of us did. First memory of really liking Monte: summer of 85 during a party in the apartment he shared with Sey and Tom. I walked into kitchen to get a beer and he was on the phone with Mindy or Mitch and I heard him say that he was just checking to make sure all was good at home. In the middle of his own party and at age 19, he called home just to check in. That memory has always stuck with me.

I met Monte in 2nd grade. Monte taught me that it is okay to be who you are. Whether that was living out loud or not. Monte was loyal, honest and compassionate. Thankful that he was a part of my life.

I have too many to share! But I’ll always remember Mondo when I’m in Vegas! He was always the ring leader when we are at the pool and after about 10 minutes he’d say “let’s go gamble!” Also, he had such a big heart for the less fortunate. If they needed shoes, money, camps, etc he’d call me and say “let’s take care of these kids.” I’ll always remember Mondo the deal maker as well. You all know what I mean! No deal was ever good enough until Mondo approved! So many more……I’m gonna miss Mondo!

So many memories of Mondo. This story is short, but one I will never forget and one that I think it sums up the kind of man he was. The Saturday of Memorial Day in 1997, my mother unexpectedly passed in Bloomington. She was only 64. Cindy and I had moved to Naperville by that time, so all the Seyller boys (my brothers) were gathered at my brother Mark’s, who lived on Grove Street at the time. The news was so new, our spouses had not even arrived at his house yet. The first person I see walking up my brother’s driveway was Mondo. I am not even sure how he knew that my mom had passed, or even where we were gathered at, but there he was. He had a case of beer in one hand and an armful of gondolas in the other. He set them down and gave me a hug. We sat outside, popped a a couple beers, and told stories, laughed, and cried…just as we have been doing and will be doing with his passing. We will miss him, but only until we see him again.

Thanks for all the job opportunities and life lessons growing up. I remember right handed layups and learning about the importance of saving money. I'll remember those forever and I’m thankful that you’ve helped prepare me for the real world.