Willie Mertz

Willie Ernest Mertz, 85, of Burton, husband of Vernell Schilling Mertz, died Saturday, June 12, 2010, in Trinity Medical Center. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Greenvine, with Pastor Rich Nelson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Born January 22, 1925 in Wesley, Austin County, Texas to Wilhelm J. and Florence Edith Williams Mertz, Willie was baptized March 21, 1925 in Welcome by Rev. Appel, and confirmed August 29, 1943 in Carmine by Rev. H. Brunotte. Willie attended the Latium area schools. He proudly served his country during World War II in the U. S. Navy, and was discharged May 2, 1946 as a Seaman First Class. On November 16, 1947, he married Vernell Schilling in Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Greenvine. Willie and Vernell resided in the Burton Community during all of their married life. Willie was a butcher for Rau''s Meat Center for many years. Active in the American Legion of Shelby, Willie also enjoyed deer hunting, dominoes, card games, especially Skat, and watching wrestling. His most favorite pastime was dancing, and he especially enjoyed listening to polka music. His family was very important in his life, and he loved spending time with his granddaughters and great-granddaughters. A member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Greenvine, Willie served on the church council, as well as on the church building committee. He is survived by his wife, Vernell; son and daughter-in-law, Dale and Penny Mertz of Bay City; daughters and son-in-law, Darlene Dottie and Gene Herrmann of Burton and Carol Leitzel of Brenham; grandchildren: Cristi Herrmann Nelson and husband Billy, and Ashlea Herrmann; Nicholas Banker and wife Jackie; great-grandchildren: Leah Nicole, Raney Kate and Brooklyn Paige Nelson, and soon to arrive Layla Grace Banker; sister Hilda Schulz, of Brenham; brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-law Delphine and Gladys Schilling of Brenham, Melvin and Dorothy Schilling of La Grange, and LeeRoy and Pauline Schilling of Austin. Preceding him in death were sisters Lenora, Worthy, Emma Naegeli, and Evelyn Ullrich; sister-in-law Nevilee Schilling, and brothers-in-law Walter Naegeli, Harry Ullrich, Wilfred Schulz and Willie Worthy. Serving as pallbearers are John Welch, Claude Naegeli, Henry Ullrich, Johnnie Dobecka, Ralph Thiemer, and Dale Heintschel. Margie Mertz, Arnold Knuppel, Bill Graham, Mike Smith and Harry Geisler will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be directed to Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Greenvine, or American Diabetes Association. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main, Brenham. 979-836-4564. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.