Merle C. Kent, 91, former Ashland and Mt. Carmel resident, passed away December 11, 2020 at the Mt. Carmel Nursing Center.  Born in Coal Township, February 14, 1929, she was the daughter of Roy and Victoria Zavalick Greager.  She was a graduate of the Shamokin High School.  After graduation, she went to mining school, and earned a certificate in Anthracite Mining.  Merle worked for the former Wilbur White Coal Company of Ashland as a loader operator and hoisting engineer.  She later worked as a sewing machine operator for the former Lady Hope Dress Company of Kulpmont, and as a bartender in the Mt. Carmel area until her retirement.

Her love was shopping, Casino gambling, word search puzzles, and reading the newspaper. She was a member of the Catholic faith.

Preceding her in death was her husband Charles “Chick” Kent, passing in 2013, a sister Dorothy Updegrove, and brothers John, Donald, and Roy Greager.

Survivors

Daughter:  Dorothy Gene Kaseman wife of Bruce Gressley, Boyertown

Son:  Wilbur White and his wife Carol, Black Heath, with whom she resided until her illness.

Son:  Donald White and his wife Brenda, Ringtown

Son:  Russell “Tiny” White and his wife Lisa, Ashland

Grandchildren:  Shannon Brown, Jerri wife of Terry Koch, Megan wife of Christopher Ambrose, Jennifer White fiancée of Shawn Shadle, Donald White and his wife Kristen, Alicia White fiancée of Nathan Klinger, David White and his wife Kathryn, Richard White and his fiancée Ashley Guziniski

Great Grandchildren:  Veronica, Reagan, Charlotte, Carson, Sophie, Owen, Adalynn and Dawson

Nieces and Nephews

Merle will be interred with her husband in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.