Final Salute

Former Lancaster resident James “Jim” Monger passed away on February 25, 2025 surrounded by his family. He was 89. Born November 29,1935 in West Grove, PA to James and Marie Monger, he lived in Willow Street, PA until joining the U.S. Navy in 1953. He proudly served as a Navy SeaBee. Jim married Judy Ann Bear on July 3,1960.

Jim utilized his Navy welding skill to build a career with companies such as Control Flow, Ross Engineering, and Woodson, Inc. Jim and Judy moved to Perryville, MD in 1989 and he was with the Cecil County Government as a supervisor for the Roads Department until his retirement.

Jim was a lifelong boater, fisherman, and hunter. He volunteered as a fishing buddy for the annual Maryland Special Olympics fishing tournaments and would take anyone out who expressed an interest in learning to fish.

A member of the Strasburg Sportsman Association for more than 40 years, he was a founding owner of the camp for the Burlington Hunting Club in Canton, PA.

In 2009, Jim and Judy moved to the Eastern Shore of Maryland (Stevensville, MD) where he spent his days doing projects at the homes of his kids, friends, neighbors, and anyone in need.

Jim was a proud veteran and loved the country he served. There are few men more tough than those who served as a Navy Seabee. This toughness was obvious to all who crossed his path, and he was the leader of all projects well into his 80s.

He was a member and spent many volunteer hours at the Kent Island American Legion Post 278. Jim was in the Lancaster Big Brother program for 15 years and earned citations for being active in all of their programs.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Ann (Bear) Monger, daughters Jodie (Mark) Gray of Punta Gorda, FL and Janice Monger (James Thomas) of Stevensville MD, granddaughter Emily Gray of Washington DC, Rosie Monger (late brother Robert) of New Holland, PA, nephew Scott and Diana Monger, niece Sheri Monger of Ephrata, great nieces and nephews Zach, Logan, Isaiah, Karli, Tyler and Brooke, cousin Dennis (Betty Jo) Grimm, cousin (late Steuart) and Doris Grimm and their 7 children: Sterling, Susie, Sherry, Debbie, Dorinda, Doug, and Dana, second cousin Calvin Frost.

Funeral services will be graveside on March 24,11:00 AM at Conestoga Memorial Park in Lancaster, followed by a celebration of life luncheon.

Please confirm attendance to the luncheon with Jodie jodiegray450@gmail.com.