GERALD R. MERTZ

Gerald R. Mertz, 69, of Piqua, passed away unexpectedly at 11:40 a.m. Sunday, September 22, 2024. He was born October 28, 1954 in Sidney to the late Charles W. and Alma (Schulze) Mertz. He married Constance J. “Connie” Wiley October 25, 1975 in Fletcher; and she survives.

Other survivors include five sons, G. Michael (Kelly) Mertz of Piqua, Scott Mertz of Piqua, Joseph (Samantha) Mertz of Crestview, Florida, Jonathan (Melanie) Mertz of Troy, Joshua (Nicole) Mertz of Tipp City; nine grandchildren, Logan, Gabrielle, Ellexis, Jackson, Alyson, Angelo, Emarose, Connor, Caio; five brothers, Norbert (Debbie) Mertz of Sidney, Kenneth (Barb) Mertz of Celina, Ronald (Deb) Mertz of Oklahoma, Victor (Karen) Mertz of Sidney, Leon (Susan) Mertz of Minster; and a sister, Rebecca (Dan) Roznowski of Wapakoneta. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Charles Oliver Mertz.

Mr. Mertz was a 1973 graduate of Sidney High School. He worked for many years as a truck driver; a profession he truly enjoyed and wanted to fulfill from a young age. He most recently drove for Larger Trucking of Ft. Loramie. He was a devout member of St. Mary Catholic Church where he served as an usher and Eucharistic Minister. He also took the Eucharist to shut-ins and enjoyed the opportunity to share Christ and visit with other church members. He was truly dedicated to the Church and rarely missed a Mass. Additionally; he helped run the Youth Ministry for many years. He was a baseball and soccer coach and enjoyed participating in various bowling leagues over the years. He was a member of the Piqua Fish & Game and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also served as a 4-H Advisor for a number of years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 27, 2024 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Eric Bowman as the Celebrant. Burial will follow at Fletcher Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Jamieson & Yannucci Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, 528 Broadway, Piqua, OH 45356; or to the Bethany Center, 339 South St. Piqua, OH 45356. Guestbook condolences and expressions of sympathy, to be provided to the family, may be expressed through jamiesonandyannucci.com

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