James A. Gontz, age 83, of Mahanoy City, passed away Friday at Greenwood Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hometown.  He was born at the former Locust Mountain Hospital and was a 1959 graduate of Mahanoy Township High School.  He had been employed by and retired from Lehigh Coal and Navigation where he worked as an equipment operator. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Mahanoy City, Operating Engineers Local 542 and the Tamaqua/Mahanoy Lodge No. 238 F&AM.  He was preceded in death by his wife the former Patricia Layton and a daughter Holli A. Gontz, a sister Kay Andrews and a brother George Gontz. Survivors include 2 sons James W. Gontz and his wife Cindy of Barnesville, David Gontz of North Carolina, 3 grandchildren Courtney Long and Gregory and Anthony Gontz, 2 great grandchildren Jensen and Stella Long as well as nieces and nephews.  Services will be private. Contributions in  his name to Hillside SPCA, PO Box 233, Pottsville, PA  17901 would be appreciated by the family. David D. Jarrett Funeral Home of Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements.  Please sign the guest book at www.jarrettfuneralhome.com.