MERTENS, Ralph J., 1927-1994

MERTENS, DENNING, GARRELS, WILKINS-GREVE, URBAN

Posted By: Betty Hootman (email)
Date: 2/11/2012 at 17:51:45

The Burlington (IA) Hawk Eye
Wednesday, 6 July 1994

Ralph Mertens

Ralph J. Mertens, 66, of 302 W. Henry St., Mount Pleasant, died Monday, July 4, 1994, at his home.

Born Feb. 4, 1927, at West Point, he was the son of Edward and Mary Denning Mertens. He married Erma J. Garrels on Jan. 12, 1952, at Mount Pleasant.

He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Pennsylvania during World War II and then worked at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.

Mr. Mertens drove trucks for Burlington Truck Line (CB&Q Railroad) and for Arledge Truck Lines in Burlington before retiring. He also drove part-time for local plants.

He was a member of St. Alphonsus Church in Mount Pleasant, Teamsters Local 218, was a charter member of the Moose Lodge in Mount Pleasant and held several offices in the Knights of Columbus. He was past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2561 and American Legion Post 58. He served on the Veterans burial detail for many years and was active with the Avenue of Flags.

Survivors include one daughter, Mary Wilkins-Greve of Newton; two sons, Michael of Winfield and Steven of Mount Pleasant; one brother, Paul of rural Mount Pleasant; one sister, Anna Marie Urban of Iowa City; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.

Visitation will begin at noon Thursday at the Weir Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant, where the parish will recite the rosary at 7 p.m., followed by the family receiving friends until 8:30 p.m.

The funeral for Mr. Mertens will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the St. Alphonsus Church in Mount Pleasant, with the Revs. Greg Miller, Paul Albers and Carl Leveling officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in St. Alphonsus Cemetery.

A memorial has been established.