Garland L. "Salty" Mountz, age 88, formerly of Wellington, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2009 at William Newton Hospital in Winfield, KS.

Garland L. Mountz was born on July 3, 1920 on a small farm South of Wellington, KS to Otto K. and Ivy A. (Dugan) Mountz. He attended Wellington public schools and graduated from WHS in 1939. He enlisted with the U. S. Navy in 1941 and served on the USS Battleship Maryland for three years and spent one year on staff at Arrowhead Springs Convalescent Hospital. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He married Bonnie Jean Wright on January 27, 1945 in Wellington, KS. They lived in Wellington until 1974 when they moved to Dodge City, KS. They resided there for 35 years.

He was employed at McIntire Chevrolet, Wright's Creamery, and Steffen's Dairy. After retirement from Steffen's he went to work for the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging.

He was a member of the Lions Club, life member of American Legion, life member of VFW, Elks Lodge, Chamber of Commerce, and President of Wellington Recreation Board.

Salty served as Exalted Ruler of the Wellington Elks in 1967-68. He was Kansas State Elks President in 1980-81, a member of the Elks Grand Lodge Ritual for 7 years, two years as chairman and one year as Grand Lodge Inner Guard.

Salty loved playing golf, bowling and watching all sporting events, especially the Yankees.

He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers Jack and Clarence Mountz; and daughter-in-law, Beverly Mountz.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Bonnie Mountz of Winfield, KS; one son, Wade Mountz and his wife Charlotte of Colorado Springs, CO; two daughters, Jan Pringle and her husband Jim of Arkansas City, KS and Kathleen Mountz and Scott Unruh of Atchison, KS; three grandchildren, Chris Hill, Maggie Hoag and Scott Mountz; four great grandchildren, Scotty Mountz, Erika Hoag, Conner Hoag, and Jay Hill.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 3, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church in Wellington, KS. Interment will follow the service at Prairie Lawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2009 from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. The family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.

A memorial has been established with the Kansas Elks Training Center. Contributions can be left at the funeral home.

Frank Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.