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Merton “Mert”

James Harrell

Merton “Mert” James Harrell, 77, of Columbia Falls passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2019 at his home in Columbia Falls.

Mert was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He loved baseball. Mert played baseball in junior high and in high school.

Mert graduated from Sandy High School, Sandy, Oregon in 1960. He was asked by the Cardinals to attend training camp but decided to stay home and marry the love of his life. On Nov. 16, 1963, Mert married Joy Beth Aldrich at the Chapel of the Hills in Sandy, Oregon. Mert and Joy were blessed with five children. He has had many trainings through the Forest Service. He began working for the U.S. Forest Service in 1960 planting trees, as a survey aide and a civil engineering technician supervisory. He devoted 42 years of service to the U.S. Forest Service.

Mert was a member of the Jaycees, American Baseball Legion as an umpire, a training officer of the Blankenship Fire Department and served his community as a coach for many years.

Mert is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Eveyln Harrell; and son, James Scott Harrell. He is survived by his wife, Joy; four children, 11 grandchildren, one great-grandson, four brothers, one sister, and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mert’s life will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Darlington Cremation and Burial Services, 3408 US Hwy 2 East, Kalispell, Montana.

Darlington Cremation and Burial Service is caring for Mert and his family.