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W. Montz Obituary
Born in Luzerne on Nov. 16, 1911, the son of the late Harry W. and Laura Honeywell Montz, he was educated in the Hazleton and Kingston public schools. He was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary in 1929 and from Penn State College in 1933, where he was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
For nearly 50 years he was employed by Fowler, Dick and Walker, The Boston Store, in various capacities, concluding as vice president of sales, promotions and advertising and continued after 1980 at Boscov's in public relations.
In 1987 he was appointed interim executive director of the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts for a term of 13 months and had been at the Kirby Center in other duties until 2010.
He served in the U.S. Navy from December 1941 until January 1946 in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
He was a member of the former Kingston Presbyterian Church, of which he was a ruling elder.
His brother, Robert W. Montz, preceded him in death.
He was also past president of the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association, the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, the Wyoming Commemorative Association and chairman of the Cherry Blossom Festival for numerous years.
He was a former member of the Westmoreland Club, Irem Temple and the various Masonic bodies.
In 1973 he initiated the Luzerne County Scholastic Art Awards and for 21 years was active in its administration.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Edythe Burrell Kolb Montz; by daughters, Kathryn K. (Miller), Indian Lake; Burrell M. (Covey), Greenville, N.C.; and son, Harry W. II, Kingston Township. He has eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family would like to give special thanks to Erwine Home Health and Hospice and Manor Care for the excellent services that they provided.
Memorial services will be held at the Forty Fort Meeting House at a future date. Burial will be in Forty Fort Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Calling hours will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Hugh B. Hughes & Son Inc. Funeral Home, 1044 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the F.M. Kirby Center of the Performing Arts, or to the organization of choice.
For more information, or to send the family an online message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home website at hughbhughes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for W. Montz
Nettie Maguire
February 20, 2025
He was a father to me and I´m so grateful to him for his kindness.
Susan Sgarlat
March 2, 2013
My sister Doey and I agree that Edie and Curt Montz, dear friends of our parents, provided us fine adult role models. Smart, kind and funny. All of us Sgarlats are grateful to have grown up with them.
Doey Sgarlat Barnett
February 28, 2013
Knowing Mr Montz was a treat. He was so smart, so funny, so much fun to talk to
Nettie Hourigan Maguire
February 28, 2013
TRIBUTE ON THE PASSING OF A VERY REAL PERSON
Author Unknown
People are of two kinds, and he
Was the kind I'd like to be.
Some preach their virtues, and a few
Express their lives by what they do;
That sort was he. No flowery phrase
Or glibly spoken word of praise
Won friends for her. He wasn't cheap
Or shallow, but his course ran deep.
And it was pure. You know the kind.
Not many in life you find
Whose deeds outrun their words so far
That more than what they seem, they are.
He was the most kind man I have ever met. Thank you for treating me like a daughter.
Jim Sgarlat
February 28, 2013
A wonderful man and who can argue with 101! My sympathies go out to the Montz family – particularly Mrs. Montz who would respond to many questions – “I don't know, ask Curtis”
Jack Frank
February 26, 2013
A true steward of valley history and customs that will be missed.
Hal & Jean Flack
February 26, 2013
A fine man who lived a rich life. Our kind thoughts and prayers go out to the Montz Family. He will be missed.
Millie & Dick Hogoboom
February 26, 2013
Dear Edie, Our thoughts & prayers are with you. We have some fond memories of some bridge games with Curt. Fondly, Millie & Dick Hogoboom
Ruth Gates Kelly
February 26, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the Montz family. My father worked with Mr, Montz at Fowler Dick and Walker for many years and I worked with him as a teen-ager at the store. He has been a good friend for more than 60 years and a gentleman who was always impeccably dressed. He will be greatly missed.
Joseph Van Jura
February 26, 2013
A true Gentleman and friend and patron of the arts,who showed that life can be lived well and with dignity. He will be missed.
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