Muncy Valley, Pennsylvania - Merri A. Montgomery, 82, of Muncy Valley, died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at UPMC Williamsport. Merri was the wife of Gary W. Montgomery, celebrating 58 years of marriage together until his death on March 1, 2021.

Born Sept. 16, 1941, in Muncy Valley, Merri was a daughter of the late Charles and Frieda (Bair) Golder. She was a 1959 graduate of Sullivan Highlands High School, Sonestown. As a graduate of State Beauty School, Williamsport, Merri started her career as a beautician in her parents' Muncy Valley home. Prior to her retirement, Merri was employed as Director of Emergency Services for Sullivan County. Before working for the county, Merri was employed at the Sullivan Review and Dr. John Bianchi, DDS.

Merri loved to sing in her church; so much so, that she often would go sing with other churches. Merri also taught Sunday School for quite some time. She enjoyed fishing and cooking and loved kids! Merri volunteered a lot of her time for the betterment of many organizations in Sullivan County. For many years, Merri was a camp counselor at Camp Loyalsock, Forksville. She was an EMS-EMT and first aid instructor and was ambulance captain for Laporte Ambulance for many years. She was also the Chairperson of the North Central Counter-Terrorism Task Force and an instructor for NWS-PEMA Severe Weather courses and Critical Incident Stress Management helping many cope with losses witnessed during tragedy.

Merri is survived by a son, Sheriff Robert (Kristin) Montgomery, of Eagles Mere; two grandsons, Patton Montgomery, and Grant (Sage) Shultz; a granddaughter, Audrey (Joshua) Williams; a great-grandson, Oliver Shultz; two sisters, Freda Glidewell, of Benton, and Alma Golder, of Muncy Valley; a brother, Douglas (Leona) Golder of Scottsville, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Merri was preceded in death by a brother, David Golder; and a brother-in-law, Roger "Dean" Glidewell.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 557 E. Water St., Hughesville, with Pastor Ron Dyer officiating. Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Merri's name to the Muncy Valley Area Volunteer Fire Company and Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 9, Muncy Valley, PA 17758.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at mccartythomas.com.