John Ralph Montgomery

John “Monk” Ralph Montgomery, age 80, of Mechanicsburg, passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024. He was born in Somerset on Tuesday, October 17, 1944, to the late Ralph Everett Montgomery and Edna (Lease) Montgomery. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sister Carroll Montgomery and her husband George, as well as his sister-in-law Joan Sembower and her husband Bill.

John is survived by his wife of 54 years, Maxine (Gerhart) Montgomery; his two children, Elizabeth Lynne Kent and her husband Neal of Youngsville, PA, and Jonathan Montgomery and his wife Becki of Mechanicsburg, PA; his five grandchildren, Olivia and Lilly Montgomery, and Peyton, Haley, and Braelyn Kent; his two sisters, Kay Westerfeld of Ashburn, VA, and Judy Hemenway and her husband Steve of Marietta, GA; his brother-in-law, John Gerhart and his wife Connie of Wadsworth, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews.

John graduated from Somerset Senior High School as part of the class of 1962 and from Penn State University in 1974 with a degree in Environmental Resource Management. He retired from the Federal Government after many years of service working as a surface mine inspector. John was a member of St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Kingstown. 

John was devoted to his wife and family. He was a great golfer and enjoyed fishing, hunting, and dancing. John will be dearly missed by all those fortunate to have been in his life.

The family will plan a celebration of John’s life and announce it at a later date. 

Contributions in celebration of John’s life can be made to St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 266 New Kingstown, Pa 17072.

John’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. Read John’s full obituary, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle, and sign his official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.