Mertz, Ralph Louis (1893-1961)

MERTZ, YAUS, HOWELL, CLERFF, ERMELS, JACOBSON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 7/9/2015 at 15:15:55

Daily Freeman Journal, Monday, September 18, 1961

Ralph L. Mertz, 68, died Saturday afternoon at the Methodist hospital in Sioux City.

Mr. and Mrs. Mertz were enroute from Denver, Colo., to Webster City to visit relatives when he was taken suddenly ill Saturday morning. He died following surgery Saturday afternoon.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Foster funeral home with the Rev. Robert Scott officiating and with burial in Graceland cemetery.

Ralph Louis Mertz, son of James A. and Mary Katharine [Yaus] Mertz, was born Jan. 22, 1893, at Webster City and was reared and educated in this community.

He was united in marriage Dec. 1, 1912 to Hazel Howell. They resided in Webster City where Mr. Mertz was superintendent of the former Knapp-Monarch Co. In January, 1931, he moved to Belleville, Ill., where he continued to serve as superintendent of the Knapp-Monarch Co. In 1934, the family moved to Sioux City where he was employed at the Wincharger Corp. as radio supervisor. In January, 1960, he retired and the family moved to Denver, Colo., the family home since.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Lyman E. Mertz and Donald A. Mertz, of Thornton, Colo.; eight grandchildren; two brothers and four sisters, Mrs. Ruth Clerff, George A. Mertz, Miss Opal Mertz, Harry Mertz and Mrs. Barney (Gertrude) Ermels, all of Webster City; Mrs. Leonard (Velva) Jacobson of Ames, and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, who died in infancy, his parents and one infant brother.