Earl H. Mertz

Earl H. Mertz, 82, of Richmond Twp, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2018 at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA.

Born September 5, 1935 in Richmond Twp, he was the son of the late Harrison and Helen (Kunkel) Mertz. He and his wife of 60 years, Doris M. (Dietrich) Mertz, were married on August 18, 1957 in Zion's Windsor Castle Church, Perry Twp.

Earl was a longtime farmer in Richmond Twp. He also drove milk tankers for many years for Herman Lesher, picking up milk from many local farms. He was a Richmond Township Supervisor and also drove truck for Kistler Pole Buildings, Fogelsville.

Earl was a member of Zion Moselem Lutheran Church, Richmond Twp. He also belonged to the Lone Pines Hunting Camp, Lycoming County, the Kutztown Fire Company, the Lyons Fire Company and the Kutztown Rod and Gun Club. Earl loved hunting and fishing, playing quoits and shuffleboard and especially gardening. He attended schools at the one room school house at Zion Moselem Church and the Kutztown High School.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Doris, are his two daughters, Jeanette A. Mertz-Brown, wife of Bernard J. Brown, Allentown and Joan D. (Mertz) Hammer, wife of Brian D. Hammer, New Smyrna Beach, FL. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Rachael, Eric and Olivia, his great grandchildren, Henry, Tobias and Eleanor, his sister, Ethel (Mertz) Heffner, Fleetwood and many nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his brother, Ernest Mertz.

Funeral Services for Earl will be held on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 11:00 am at Walbert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PC, 14390 Kutztown Road, Fleetwood. Burial will follow in Zion Moselem Lutheran Church, Richmond Twp. Viewings for Earl will be held on Wednesday evening, May 9, 2018 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and again on Thursday, May 10, 2018 from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Earl's memory to the Zion Moselem Lutheran Church, 340 Moselem Church Rd, Kutztown, PA 19530 or to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, 1465 Valley Centery Pkwy, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

Walbert Funeral Home & Cremation Services, PC, Fleetwood, is honored to be caring for Earl and his family. Online condolences may be offered at WalbertFuneralHome.com.