Donald J. "Don" Mertes

PORTAGE  --   Donald J. “Don” Mertes, age 80, of Portage, died unexpectedly, on Thursday, March 26, 2015 at the Halifax Health Medical Center, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Don was born on August 16, 1934, in Beaver Dam, the son of Nicholas and Violet (May) Mertes.  He graduated from Beaver Dam High School, and UW-Oshkosh.  Don served his country in the United States Marine Corps.  He married Shirley J. Czich on August 12, 1961 in Symco.  He had been employed as a Claims Adjuster and Superintendent at State Farm Insurance.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman.  Don enjoyed golfing, even making a hole-in-one during one game.  He loved spending time with his sons and grandchildren, and watching the Packers and Badgers play.  He was a former member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Rothschild. He volunteered for many years to deliver Meals-on-Wheels and to serve Christmas dinners.  He was a member of American Legion Post 492, in Wausau, and the Wausau Elks Club.   

Don is survived by his wife, Shirley Mertes, of Portage; his children, Dan (Sharon) Mertes, of Amherst, and Mike (Anne) Mertes, of Franklin; his grandchildren, Ian, Ella, and Benjamin; his mother-in-law, Mabel Czich, of New London, his sister, Lou Ann (Jay) Spaanem, of Bradenton, Florida; his brothers-in-law, Wayne Werner, of Horicon, and Gary (Joyce) Czich, of Iola, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  Donald was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Richard Mertes, his sister, May Rose Werner, his niece, Wendy Hubbard, and his father-in-law, Louis Czich.  

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 6, 2015 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, W8267 Hwy 33 East, Portage.  The funeral service will follow at 12 noon, with Rev. Ken Schaub officiating.  Military Honors, by Portage Area Veterans Honor Guard, will be held at the church, following the service.  Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. in Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King.  The Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.