Sylvia Deering

Sylvia Ruth Deering, 76, passed away July 20, 2007 in Pahrump.

She was born Dec. 8, 1930 in Wisconsin and was a 17-year resident of Pahrump, coming from Las Vegas. She worked as a telephone operator and was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and AARP.

Her son Michael H. Rasch and his friend Larry Jakobi of Palmdale, Calif.; daughters Karlene Sullivan and Julie Rasch, both of Wisconsin; sisters Shirley (Leo) Brown of Las Vegas and Donna (Everett) Thurston of Tucson, Ariz., and three grandchildren survive her.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. July 27 at the Lee Funeral Home chapel, 720 S. Buol Lane, Pahrump. (07/20/07)

Erna Schneider

Erna Schneider, 93, passed away on July 19, 2007 in Pahrump.

She was born Aug. 31, 1913 in Bergheim, Germany and was a 3-year resident of Pahrump, coming from Nordic Valley, Utah. She was a homemaker and a member of Saved By Grace Lutheran Church.

Her sister Renate Silberhorn of Germany; son Manfred Schneider of Wayne, N.J.; daughters Hannelore Ledyard of Hartsdale, N.Y., and Doris Petrilak of Pahrump; granddaughter Karin Williams; grandsons Erik Stoeckle of Georgetown, Texas, Kevin Schneider of Ogden, Utah, and Mark Schneider of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; and great grandson Aidan Williams of Pahrump survive her.

Her husband Albert Schneider preceded her in death.

Services will be held in Eden, Utah on Aug. 17.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association. (07/19/07)

William Montgomery

Services have been held for William Montgomery who died July 16, 2007 at home with his family. He was 85 years, 19 days young.

Bill was born in McKeesport, Penn., the third child of William and Elizabeth (MacIntyre) Mongomery.

He was raised in Pennsylvania, but also lived in Centereach, Long Island, N.Y, Fremont, Calif., Pahrump, Nev., and finally in Redding, Calif.

He retired from Pacific Telephone and Telegraph in 1981, as an outside plant engineer. He graduated from McKeesport High School, class of 1940, and also from Chabot College, Hayward, Calif., class of 1969.

Bill was a Purple Heart recipient and veteran of the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946.

He was a survivor of the sinking of the USS Quincy, CA-39 on Aug. 9, 1942 off the coast of Savo Island, supporting the invasion of Guadal Canal, and was active as a member of the USS Quincy Reunion Committee.

Bill was a lifetime member of the DAV and VFW. He was involved with the McKeesport Heritage Center.

Bill was a 44-year member of Alameda Lodge No. 167 in Fremont, Calif., and also a 32nd degree Mason of the Sacramento Body of the Scottish Rite. He acted as Chapter Dad and Dad Advisor for the Washington Township Chapter of the Order of Demolay and served as mentor and surrogate dad for many young men. His Masonic life was very important to him and served as the guiding philosophy for his life, living and upright and just life while treating people "on the square."

His parents, son William G. Montgomery, brother Thomas Montgomery, sister Elizabeth (Betty) Agnew, wife Dorothy M. Montgomery and nephews Brian Jones and Randy Montgomery preceded him in death.

His brother Donald M. (Betty Jean) Montgomery; the mother of his children Margaret Diederich Montgomery Curry; daughter Melody (Brian) Baker; sons Douglas D. Montgomery, Richard T. (Loretta) Montgomery, and Jeffrey L. Montgomery; grandchildren Jeffrey R. Montgomery, Kenneth M. James, Christian C. Montgomery, Hannah E. Montgomery and Marguerite (Greta) Montgomery; and friend Pearl Miller survive him.

He is also survived by his nephews and niece Gary, Ronnie, Sharon (Esquerra), Gregg, Mark, Tommy and Davey Montgomery, along with their spouses and children; and Dorothy's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren Frank and Cheryl Sedlmayer, daughters Carrie DeFelice and Amy Stout, and Alyssa J. DeFelice, Kaylee DeFelice and Emme Stout.

Donations may be made to the Children's Learning Center, Scottish Rite, Sacramento, Calif., or to the American Cancer Society. (07/16/07)

Gary A. Merrill

Gary A. Merrill passed away peacefully at his home after a long and extended illness on July 12, 2007.

He was born March 13, 1941. Gary served his country in the U.S. Navy for 8 years. He was a firefighter for the city of Pocatello, Idaho and managed the Elk Creek Ranch Lodge in Island Park, Idaho for many years.

Gary loved his God and family very much. He also loved to fish and was a great cook. He resided in Pahrump for the past 16 years with his loving wife VeAnn. Gary will be dearly missed by all.

His wife VeAnn Merrill; son Rod (Karla) Merrill and their children, Garrett and Ashley of Phoenix, Ariz.; daughter Rhonda (Rich) Lewis and their children, Faith and Isaiah, of Blackfoot, Idaho; and his loving brother Dale (Michelle) Merrill of St. George, Utah survive him.

His mother Florence Elizabeth Savage Merrill; his father Archie L. Merrill; brother Kenneth Maynard; and sister Billy Maynard Dance preceded him in death.

There will be no services at Gary's request. (07/12/07)