Services were Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Trinity Church in West Point, Nebr., for Franklin Lamont “Monty” Yarger, 72 of West Point who died Feb. 22, 1997, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Omaha. Rev. Michael Patzloff officiated. Burial was in Mount Hope Cemetery at West Point.

Franklin Lamont Yarger was born July 19, 1924, at Beatrice, Nebr., to Wilbur and Alice Van Buskirk Yarger. He graduated from Beatrice High School.

He served in the Army Air Corps from March 31, 1943, to March 1, 1946.

He owned Yarger Jewelry in West Point for 49 years. He was owner of Klopp/Yarger Diamond Center in Blair for two years.

He was a member of Trinity Church in West Point; RTO for 27 years and served on the RTO board for 12 years; Retail Jewelers Organization, Bustles and Beauxs Square Dance Club for 12 years and the West Point Chamber of Commerce.

He married Leona Thornburg March 15, 1944, in Beatrice.

He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur and step-father, Dewey Coatney and a son, David.

He is survived by his wife, Leona, of West Point; sisters, Bernie Kratke and Jeanette Moore, both of Columbus; sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Chris Yarger of Plymouth, Min. and Jim and Deb Yarger of West Point and his mother, Alice Coatney; five grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Jeff Thornburg, Scott Green, Johnny Arensberg, Kirk Thornburg, Kim Thornburg, Tracy Kaup and Dean Hagedorn.

Honorary pallbearers were Dick Moodie, Loy Theitje, Jim Strehle, Ed Bacon, Pliny Moodie, Wade Nyquist and Don Maack.

Memorials may be directed to Trinity Church or the West Point Community Foundation.

Ben Stalp Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.