Gary R. Mertz

Gary R. Mertz, 75, of 942 Chippewa Rd., Muncy, died Sunday, August 31, 2014 at Williamsport Regional Medical Center.

Born June 27, 1939 in Northumberland, he was a son of the late George and Elsie (Sassaman) Mertz. On October 7, 1967, he married the former Diane Hart, who survives. Together they celebrated 46 years of marriage.

Gary was a 1957 graduate of Northumberland High School.  He served in the United States Marines, stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

He retired in 2002 from the former Montour Oil Service Company, where he worked in the sheet metal fabrication shop.  Following retirement, Gary worked as a courier for Jersey Shore State Bank and read newspapers for North Central Sight Services.

He attended First United Methodist Church, Muncy.

Gary was an avid hunter and loved spending time at the hunting camp to which he belonged in Potter County.

Surviving in addition to his wife are one son, Darren Mertz and partner Jeremy Wekell, of Tacoma, WA; one brother, Daniel Mertz and wife Sherry, of Mechanicsville, VA; and two nephews, Alex Mertz and wife Brigid, of Fredericksburg, VA and Christopher Mertz, of Mechanicsville, VA.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother and sister in infancy.

Friends will be received from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Grenoble’s, 121 S. Main St., Muncy, where a funeral service will follow at 1 p.m., with Rev. Arlene Beechert of First United Methodist Church, Muncy, officiating.

Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

The family suggests either memorial contributions in Gary’s name be made to the American Red Cross, 320 E. Third St., Williamsport, PA 17701, or to donate blood at a local blood drive.