Merle Homer Mountain

Long-time Anchorage, Alaska resident Merle H. Mountain, 83, died Sept. 13, 2024, of cardiac arrest at Providence Hospital.

Merle was born Sept. 2, 1941, to Oro F. and Dolly R. (Reighard) Mountain, in New Enterprise. In 1960, Merle graduated from Northern Bedford High School, and then enlisted in the United States Air Force.

Merle is survived by his son Dale Mountain of Baltimore; his brothers Paul Mountain of Martinsburg and Wilbur (Marian) Mountain of Palmyra; his life partner Jan Sgroi of Anchorage; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Gene Mountain, Robert Mountain and sisters Ura Eichelberger, Dessie Deatrick, and Pearl Clark.

His time in the Air Force took him to several states, as well as Shu Lin Kou AFB in Taiwan and Iraklion AFB in Crete, Greece.

In March of 1963, a year after being honorably discharged, he was employed with the United States Department of Justice – Federal Bureau of Investigation. Merle’s FBI service stations included Butte, Mont.; San Diego, Calif.; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, Md.; and retired out of Anchorage in 2000.

Merle transferred to Alaska in 1992, and enjoyed Aces ice hockey, ice skating, hiking, fishing, camping and hunting.

He always enjoyed entertaining family, coworkers and friends when visiting from the Lower 48.

A memorial service was held at the Legacy Heritage Chapel in Anchorage. A celebration of life/memorial service will also be held in Pennsylvania at a later date.

The family suggests donations to the American Heart Association, USO, or the Disabled Veterans of America in lieu of flowers.