Buddy R. Mergenthaler, age 41 of Helena

Buddy Robert Mergenthaler

Buddy was born to Buddy Gene Mergenthaler Jr. and Roberta Marie Bright in Helena on February 19, 1984.  He attended Kessler Elementary, Jim Darcy, CR Anderson and graduated from Capital High School in 2003.

His early years are best characterized as one of Santa’s elves along with his sister Sunni, making the rounds with Grampa Buddy and Judy every Christmas Eve.

Buddy loved WWE and was a die-hard Raiders fan.

He brought that same spirit to the field, playing small fry football.

His first job after graduation was making hams for Gramma Pat and Uncle Steve Bartmess at Montana Valley Hams.

In search of something more adventurous to suit his character, Buddy enlisted in the US Army early in 2004 and went to Basic Training at Fort Sill, Ok. Like many soldiers during that period, he was soon deployed to Iraq and served courageously in the Global War on Terrorism.

While there an IED encounter left him with physical and mental scars that affected him for the rest of his too brief life.

He also became life-long Brothers with his fellow warriors Rory Lydon and Matt Winn who will one day join him in Valhalla.

After his Honorable Discharge in 2008, Buddy returned home to Helena where he went to work at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center Maintenance Dept for over 15 dedicated years.

In 2010 Buddy welcomed a daughter, Jessica Mae Mergenthaler that he loved unconditionally.

Never one to complain, he was pretty ill before he would seek medical help and was admitted to the hospital with grave health complications. In the end, his big gentle heart, valiant spirit and so many prayers just couldn’t pull him through. He surrendered the battle with his loving family by his side.

Buddy was preceded in death by his Father Buddy Gene Mergenthaler Jr., Grandparents Sonny and Sharon Bright and Grampa Buddy Mergenthaler

He is survived by his mother Bobbi Bright, sister Sunni (Mike) Taylor, Daughter Jessica Mergenthaler, Grandmother Pat Bartmess, aunts, Denise (Paul) Cartisser, Shannon(Dennis) Meyer, Laura Bartmess, Marta(Jay) Schmidt, Uncles Robert (Tammy) Bright, Steve(Peggy) Bartmess, John (Sheila) Bartmess and Travis Mergenthaler, Nieces Belle and Blakley Taylor and his Best friend/ cousin Bryan Spece

Step Dad Dave Clark, Step Brothers John, Travis and Justin Clark. And numerous Cousins, Friends  And his beloved Cat Stinky.

Services will be held Friday November 7, 2025 at Anderson, Stevenson Wilke at 3pm

Graveside services at Forestvale Cemetery and Reception to Follow at VFW in East Helena.

Service Schedule

Celebration of His Life

3:00 p.m.

Friday November 7, 2025

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, MT 59602

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Graveside Service

3:45 p.m.

Friday November 7, 2025

Forestvale Cemetery

490 Forestvale Road

Helena, MT 59602

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Reception

Following Graveside Service

Friday November 7, 2025

VFW

117 West Main Street

East Helena, MT 59635

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