Irvin "Lee" Monroe, of Sidney, recently passed away unexpectedly in Toledo on January 14, 2018.

Lee was born November 14, 1945 in Celina, to the late Irvin F. and Irma L. Menchhofer Monroe.

Growing up in rural Mercer County, Lee was active in his youth in both 4-H and FFA, and graduated from Fort Recovery High School in 1964. Following high school, Lee held multiple jobs, including being a self-employed farmer, a school bus driver for Fort Recovery Local Schools, and had recently retired from the Farmers Elevator in Houston, Ohio where he had been employed the last 23 years. Lee also worked part time at Menards in Sidney for the past 10 years.

In 1978, Lee married Beverly Swiger, a marriage that brought three children and eventually many grandchildren.

Lee enjoyed agricultural fairs and loved all animals, helping with his kids' 4-H projects, Fort Recovery High School basketball, OSU football and basketball, and loved the Christmas season.

His survivors include his wife Beverly, his three children and their spouses: Leighan Monroe (Keith Stewart), Keith (Julia) Monroe, and Stephanie (Joseph) Poeppelman; two siblings and their spouses: Marilyn (Harold) Slusser and Lyle (Pennie) Monroe; grandchildren: Olivia, Lily, Derek, Walker, Sarah Jane, Emily, Sarah Joyce, Siri, Hannah, Cooper, Jared and Ellen. Lee is also survived by his father and mother in-law, Cecil and Barbara Swiger, a sister in-law and spouse, Cynthia (Jerry) Snyder, brother in-law and spouse, Jerry (Twi) Swiger, and brother in-law, Melvin Swiger. Lee is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends as well.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Irvin F. and Irma Monroe, his sister Barbara Monroe, and a sister in-law, Debra (David) Welty.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 19, at W.H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home in Celina, with Pastor Robin Owen officiating. Burial will be at Pearl Cemetery, near Anna.

Calling Hours are 2:00-7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 18, at the Funeral Home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation or to Mercer County 4-H.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at dickandsonshellwarthfh.com.