Harlan R. Mertz, 74, U.S. Army Veteran
Harlan R. “Hal” Mertz, 74, of Elyria Township, died Sunday March 26, 2017 at Northridge Health Center in North Ridgeville after a long illness.
He was born September 18, 1942 in Oberlin, grew up in Elyria and lived most of his life in Amherst and Elyria Township.
Hal graduated from Elyria High School. He served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed in the city of Cu Chi. After the war, he attended Fenn College where he studied computer programming.
Hal worked as a computer programmer at US Steel in Lorain, Roth Manufacturing and Aztec Development where he acted as a subcontractor to US Steel before retiring in 2004.
He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elyria Township and enjoyed woodworking and playing golf.
He is survived by his daughters Kimberly Oh (James) of Pepper Pike and Karrie Mertz of Grafton; grandchildren: Justin, Joshua & Jason Oh and brother Lynn Mertz of Waukesha, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his wife and the love of his life Kaaren A. Mertz (nee Ergh) in 1986 and parents Worth H. & Velsetta M. Mertz (nee Brady).
The family will receive friends Wednesday 5:00-8:00 pm at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9:30 am in the funeral chapel followed by the mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 41295 N Ridge Rd, Elyria Township. The Rev. Donald Dunson, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst Township where the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #20 of Lorain will conduct military honors.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, 5555 Frantz Rd, Dublin, OH. 43017.
Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.