Harvey Merten

Harvey Henry Merten, 83, of Brenham, died October 28, 2015, at Scott and White Hospital in Brenham. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31, at St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brenham with Pastor Phillip Fenton, Pastor Bri Merkle, and Pastor Karen Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Mr. Merten was born March 13, 1932, in Burton, TX, to Charles and Erna Goldberg Merten. He was baptized May 8, 1932 and was confirmed April 14, 1946. On October 7, 1956, he married Floya Ann Schulz. Mr. Merten was a member of St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church and the American Legion. Mr. Merten served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Mr. Merten was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish, especially with his family. He enjoyed refinishing furniture and creating pieces that hold special memories for his family. He always looked forward to Sunday visits with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also had a great love for his dog Prissy and loved flowers and gardening. He was beloved as both "Papo" and "Papaw" to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved and always looked forward to the annual summer Rockport trips with the family. Survivors include his wife, Floya Ann Merten of Brenham; son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Connie Merten of Brenham; daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Darrell "PeeWee" Plagens of Brenham; grandchildren, Eric Plagens and wife Pamela, Sarah Doelitsch and husband David, Kyle Merten and wife Mindy and Kory Merten and partner Taylor Lucherk; great-grandchildren, Cooper and Tucker Plagens, Jake Doelitsch and Barrett and Gretchen Merten; sister-in-law, LaVern Reuter of Brenham; and nieces and nephews, Susie and John Bilski, Linda Thomas, P.L. and Betty Thomas, Evelyn Shead, Allen Merten, Mary Beth and John Jewell, Bill and Carole Merten and Sandy Merten. He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Eddie and Jessie Schulz; brother and sister-in-law, Chester and Lorna Merten; brother-in-law, Clarence Reuter; and nephew, Russell Reuter; and adopted sister, Marie Thomas and husband Buddy Thomas. Pallbearers will be John Bilski, Nick Bilski, Ross Schroeder, P.L. Thomas, Bill Merten, Larry Goldberg, Caleb Goldberg and Larry Arnie. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, former co-workers at Central Freight Lines, Dennis and Hillary Koch, and Elroy and Sue Maass. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul''s Renovation Fund and St. Paul''s Christian Day School. Funeral arrangements for Harvey Merten are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St., Brenham, TX, 979-836-4564. To post a tribute to the family, visit: www.memorialoakschapel.com.