Obituary of Ethel Montiegel

Ethel Charlotte Montiegel, 85, of Morgantown, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2011, at Ruby Memorial Hospital.Ethel was born in Wheeling on July 25, 1926, the daughter of Bartlin and Ethel (Schnell) Montiegel.She graduated from Bethany College in 1951, where she was a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. Ethel later earned a masters degree in zoology at West Virginia University.Ethel devoted her career to teaching. She spent over thirty years in the Biology Department of West Virginia University as an associate professor and pre-health sciences advisor. Her concern for each and every student was evident. Ethel was instrumental in establishing the Health Careers Opportunity Program for educationally disadvantaged students.Ethel was chosen Most Influential Teacher by senior biology majors every year from 1988 until her retirement as professor emerita in 1993. She was also honored for her excellence in teaching, receiving the W.V.U. Foundation Teaching Award in 1976, and recognition from the College of Arts and Sciences, and Amoco. Her former students, friends, and faculty established the Ethel C. Montiegel Biology Scholarship in her honor for outstanding university juniors interested in pursuing a health sciences career. Later in life, Ethel was delighted to be under the care of several physicians who were former students.Ethel leaves behind her closest lifelong friend, Leah Williams. She is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Montiegel Wentz, of Boulder, Colorado as well as nieces Susan Montiegel Siegel and Carrie Vere Nicoll, and nephews Bart Montiegel and Kevin Montiegel, and seven great nieces and nephews. A service in her memory will be held on Friday, October 21st at 4p.m. at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church on Elmhurst Street in Morgantown.In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Ethel C. Montiegel Biology Scholarship Fund #3S435 at the WVU Foundation, P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV 26507-1650.