Chester Merten

Chester Merten, 79, of Burton, passed away March 4, 2008 in Gazebo Terrace Convalescent Center. Mr. Merten was born September 29, 1929 in Burton to Charles and Erna Goldberg Merten. He attended Washington County schools. He married Lorna Somers on June 18, 1954, and they were married for 50 years. She preceded him in death on May 22, 2004. Mr. Merten served active duty in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He retired to his farm in Burton from Southwestern Bell Telephone after 38 years of service in 1986. He was a member of St. John''s United Church of Christ in Burton, where he served on the church council. Mr. Merten was president of Local 6228 for 21 years; vice-president of the Texas AFL-CIO for 4 years; vice-president TDLC CWA for 12 years; secretary of the Galveston County Labor Council for 6 years, and a member of the Mainland United Way Executive Board for 10 years. He was elected President Emeritus of CWA Local 6228 upon retirement. Mr. Merten was a Lifetime Yellow Dog Democrat. Survivors include daughter Evelyn Shead of Austin; son Allen Merten and wife Judy of Bastrop; daughter Mary Beth Jewell and husband John of Austin; son Bill Merten and wife Carole of Austin, and daughter, Sandy Merten of Austin, and 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother, Harvey Merten and sister-in-law, Floy Ann Merten; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jack and Josie Somers, and his best friend of over 50 years, Rocky Ingalls. Mr. Merten was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Lorna Somers Merten. Funeral services for Chester Merten will be held Friday, March 7, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John''s United Church of Christ in Burton, with Rev. Glen Schoeneberg and Greg Felder officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation with family and friends will take place Thursday evening at Foehner Funeral Home in Burton from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Serving as pallbearers are Stephen Shead, Jimmy Shead, Eric Plagens, Lamar Overbay, Darrell Plagens, Doug Shead, Bob Maiorano, and Jerry Merten. Rocky Ingalls and George Jones will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Brazos Valley, 302 E. Blue Bell Rd., Brenham, Tx. 77833, or to St. John''s United Church of Christ of Burton. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Foehner Funeral Home of Burton. To view the obituary online or to post a tribute to the family, please visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.