Larry Merz

Larry Merz, 78, a long-term resident of Libby, passed away on July 30, 2015, following complications resulting from Alzheimers.

Larry, the eldest of three children, was born July 21, 1937, in Wenatchee, Wash., to Harold and Nina Merz. As a child, the Merz family moved to Pilot Rock, Ore., and Larry was a standout quarterback for the high school football team. He married Charlene Carnes on March 22, 1954. He graduated in 1955, carrying his newborn daughter down the aisle to receive his diploma.

Following graduation, Larry drove a logging truck, assisted at his father-in-law’s hardware store and was a lineman for a local telephone company. After the famous Columbus Day storm n 1962, he was transferred to Sweet Home, Ore., to help with repairs and reconstruction. In 1970, the Merz family moved to Libby. After a brief move to Sandpoint, Idaho, they returned to Libby and purchased their small acreage just southeast of town. As technology progressed, Larry continued his education by correspondence courses for his entire career with the phone company, which ended with his retirement in 1999.

Larry was a very active member of the Libby community. Larry was also a gentleman cattle rancher with the girls and Big John. He and his wife, Charlene, were very active members of the Libby Assembly of God Church and Larry was instrumental in the construction of their new church building.

Preceded in death by his wife of 58 years and his father, Larry is survived by his mother Nina; brother Mike and wife Judy of Wenatchee, Wash.; sister Patricia Studebaker of Wenatchee, Wash.; daughter Cheri Loosemore of Sandpoint, Idaho; son Rick Merz and wife Coleen of Sandpoint, Idaho; grandsons Spencer Smith and wife Danette, also of Sandpoint, Idaho; Adam Merz of Blaine, Wash.; granddaughter Dianna Hobbs of Moreno Valley, Calif., and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at the Libby Assembly of God Church in Libby, beginning at 11 a.m.