Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

John Philip Mertz

FUNERAL HOME

Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc. - Kutztown

333 Greenwich Street

Kutztown, Pennsylvania

John Mertz Obituary

Name: Viewing for John Philip Mertz
Start: 2023-09-28T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-09-29T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc. - Kutztown

John Philip Mertz, 88, of Maxatawny Township, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 24, 2023 in his residence. He was the husband of Betty Lou (Herber) Mertz, whom he married on June 25, 1955. Born and raised in Maxatawny Township, John was a son of the late Philip Martin Mertz and Ellen Jane (Leibensperger) Mertz. John was employed by Eastern Industries, East Penn Manufacturing Co., Inc., and Maxatawny Township, where he served as the Park Ranger for 20 years. He was a member of Zion's Union Church of Maxatawny, and a former member of The Antique Engine Tractor and Toy Club and The Old Time Plow Boys. John enjoyed spending time at Bowers Park, on his farm in Maxatawny Township which he helped to restore, and displaying equipment at local fairs and the Kutztown Folk Festival. John will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor, work ethic and commitment to family. Along with his wife of 68 years, Betty, John is survived by his three sons, Barry C., husband of Therese (Moyer) Mertz, Kutztown, Brian J., husband of Patricia (Gallagher) Mertz, Kutztown, and Bruce P., husband of Tawna (Clelan) Mertz, Stevensville, MD; six grandchildren, Anya Kramer (Kenneth), Alec Mertz, Erik Mertz (Adena), Bryn Mertz (Chelsea), Cyleigh Mertz (Mithun Nagesh), Kara Sheehan (Chris); eight great-grandchildren, Thorin, Lyanna, Otis, Crew, Ty, Raiya, Finnegan and Blaire; and sister, Donna L. (Mertz), wife of Randy Bailey, Kutztown. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his siblings, Grace A. Kern, Harold D. Mertz and niece, Judith Kern. A funeral service to celebrate and honor John's life will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. in Zion's Union Church, 329 Church Road, Kutztown, with Vicar Jeremiah T. Heydt officiating. Burial will follow in the adjoining cemetery. Viewings for John will be held on Thursday evening, September 28th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, and again on Friday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in John's Memory to Zion's Union Church or Maxatawny Township, 127 Quarry Road, Suite 1, Kutztown, PA 19530, to be used for a memorial bench placed at Bowers Park, a place that was very special to John. Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc., Kutztown, is in charge of arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.Ludwickfh.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Reading Eagle from Sep. 26 to Sep. 27, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for John Mertz

Sponsored by Ludwick Funeral Homes and Cremation Care, Inc. - Kutztown.

13 Entries

Cindy jenne

October 8, 2023

I always enjoyed talking to John at Bowers Park he was a very happy pleasant man he always call Bowers Park the dog park cause so many people come with their pups he truly love seeing them he will always be a unforgettable special man truly sorry for your loss of such a beautiful man sincerely Cindy jenne

Carol Derr & Francis Gross Jr.

September 30, 2023

Betty & Family So sorry for your loss. John will be missed by many. We all have Johnny stories. So he always be in our hearts.

Carol and Roger Berger

September 29, 2023

Betty, so sorry about John´s passing. Our condolences to you and your family. He always took time to talk to everyone and always had a smile on his face. I´m so sorry we can´t be at the viewing/service as we have Covid. Please know you are in thoughts and prayer. May the Lord comfort and strengthen you all in this time.

Maria & Dan Floryshak

September 29, 2023

May your family and friends bring you comfort in this time of sorrow.

Liza Ryan

Planted Trees

Sylvia & Victor Pituch

September 28, 2023

Though the voice is quiet,
The spirit echoes still.

To all of John´s loves - sending a gentle embrace with our love, thoughts and prayers. Be open to the ways/signs in which he will let you know he is with you.

Much love, Victor & Sylvia

Bryan and Judy Westenhoefer

September 28, 2023

To Brian and Patti, and Donna and Randy-so sorry to hear about John's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Gloria McVeigh

September 27, 2023

I was so sorry to hear of Johnny's passing. He was unfailingly pleasant and kind to me. My husband Rocky and I always looked forward to seeing him and his beautifully restored farm equipment at the Kutztown Folk Festival with the his friends, The Old Time Plow Boys. I remember being amazed by the inside of the magnificent barn at the Mertz Farm, when Bruce took me there to view it. Johnny always seemed to be the warm heart of the Mertz family. His sons clearly had much respect and fondness for their dad. Johnny will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.

Jeremy Christman

September 27, 2023

Betty and family,

I am so sorry and what a huge loss this is. John was such a great guy... I could listen to him talk for hours. He had such a great sense of humor. I have nothing but fond memories of our Halloween tractor rides and coming over as a kid for Easter. He will be so sorely missed.

Donna Marsh

September 27, 2023

Betty and sons I am deeply saddened by John´s passing. He was loved so much by many and will be missed. Wish I could be there for you but being in Florida makes it difficult. Thinking of all of you lovingly

Tawna Mertz

September 27, 2023

So many fun memories with Johnny. Our family and many friends remember antique tractor rides on the farm and jokes for every occasion. He knew how to tell a good story. I´ve always appreciated his kindness. A truly good man. Johnny will be missed greatly by so many.

Alice & Joe Schramel

September 27, 2023

Betty and family,
We were so sad to hear of John's passing. He was a good friend and fellow farmer. Johnny was well liked by many people for his out going personality. He will be missed by family and friends.

Lester and Faye Miller

September 27, 2023

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results