Daryl Kay Mong

Daryl Kay Mong passed away July 26, 2024, at the age of 76 after a yearlong battle with multiple myeloma. He was born November 23, 1947, in Warren, Pennsylvania to Philip and Avaryl Mong. Daryl was raised in a wholesome, loving home with fraternal twin brother Dean, older brother Denny, and younger sister Susan. He graduated from Warren High School in 1965, and continued his education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1969 with a major in biology. In January 1970, he was called to service in the US ARMY and served in South Korea along the DMZ as a field artillery specialist. After 21 months of service, he was honorably discharged under President Nixon's draw down of forces in the Vietnam War.
In 1975, Daryl married Sandy Orcutt in Bellefonte, PA. He began work at the US Conservation Service while taking graduate classes at Penn State. In August that year, he began a 30-year career in the Department of Environmental Protection in Harrisburg, and later supervised the Chambersburg, PA office. Daryl and Sandy moved into their first home, in Shermans Dale, where they lived for 26 years while raising a family of 5 children: Jason, Jessica, Josiah, James, and Janna.
After an early retirement in 2005, Daryl fulfilled a lifelong dream to live in the west, moving with Sandy and their three youngest to Bonner's Ferry, Idaho. Daryl loved the mountains, the hunting, and the opportunity with Sandy to raise their children in a small tight-knit community. But tragedy struck in July 2012 when their daughter Janna was lost in a drowning accident. This led to a move for Daryl and Sandy to be near son Jason in Watkins Glen, NY. But the call to move west remained strong, and Daryl and Sandy re-located to the Black hills of South Dakota where they remained for three years. In October 2021, the call to go further west led Daryl and Sandy to the small town of Plains in Western Montana. Determined to make Plains their final resting place, they built a new home and settled in early 2022. Soon after, Daryl was hit with Covid, followed by bone cancer the following summer. Despite his illness, Daryl found great enjoyment from hunting in the Montana mountains. His greatest joy was seeing his children become successful and more importantly, having a vital walk with God. Daryl was always a man of his word, and a man of God's word through daily prayer.
Daryl is survived by his loving wife Sandy of 49 years, son Jason (wife Melinda Sorber), daughter Jessica (husband Ed Mintonye), son Josiah (fiancé Chelsea Kopcke), son James (wife Ashlynn Brennan), brother Dean (wife Jackie), and sister Susan (husband Warren Snow). He is also survived by grandsons Andrew and Zachariah Mintonye, Zachary Mong, and a granddaughter due in December to James and Ashlynn. Daryl was also a special uncle to several nieces and nephews.
Daryl was preceded in death by his parents, newborn sister Cynthia, daughter Janna, brother Dennis, nephew Denny Jr and Mother-in-law Patricia Kean.
A funeral service will be held on July 31 at Clark Fork Christian Fellowship, 31 Thompson River Rd, Thompson Falls, MT. Viewing from 9:30 – 10:45 am, service at 11:00 am followed by a
noon meal. A graveside service will be held at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA August 5, 2024, at 10:30 am.