Ernie Guldner was an honest and trustworthy man who loved his wife, family and community.

So were the words used to describe Guldner, as spoken from several of those who knew him best, during a funeral service Wednesday morning at Ben Salem United Church of Christ in Lehighton.Family, friends, and firefighters from various fire companies gathered to celebrate the life of Guldner, 76, of Bowmanstown, who passed away Saturday evening in his residence after a courageous battle with kidney disease, which left him on dialysis.Guldner was the husband of Jean M. (Miller) Guldner, with whom he celebrated 56 years of marriage on Sept. 6, 2014.Guldner was a very active firefighter, having joined the fire company in October 1959, making this his 56th year of service, as noted on the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company's Facebook page.He was fire chief for 30 years, and the assistant chief for 10 years. Guldner was a member of the 4 County Fireman's Association, the Carbon County Fireman's Association, as well as the Carbon County Fire Marshall for 10 years and the local EMA coordinator for the borough of Bowmanstown.He was also chief of the Andreas Volunteer Fire Company, and was a life member of the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, the Bowmanstown Rod & Gun Club, Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company and the Lehighton American Legion, as well as a life member and former president of the Andreas Sporting Club, a charter member of the Bowmanstown/Parryville Lions Club, and a former president of the Palmerton Ambulance, and drove for Penn Mahoning Ambulance.Guldner was actively involved with the Bowmanstown Fire Police, where he served as captain and lieutenant. He volunteered with the Carbon County Fire Police, and worked for over four years to assist with the implementation of 911 in the Carbon County area.The Rev. Michael J. McGowan presided over the service.McGowan said Guldner was "a man who lived his life very well."Mourners were invited to offer words of remembrance.Ken Dottery said he's known Guldner for almost 60 years."We were like brothers," Dottery said. "Even though Jean is my cousin, I always referred to him as my cousin."Both he and Ernie were competitive, noted Dottery, who said, "He was always just one step ahead of me.""We competed, and were the best friends there could be," he said. "We had the greatest time."Bruce Koch, assistant fire chief of the Bowmanstown Volunteer Fire Company, said he knew Guldner well."He was an honest man; you knew where you stood with Ernie," Koch said. "He was honest and straightforward."Koch added that Guldner was "very trustworthy," and that if he said he was going to do something or be somewhere, he would.