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EDWIN MERTZ Obituary
Edwin C. Mertz, 86, dearly beloved husband of Grace McMullan Mertz (1923-2005); loving father of Michael and T.J.; proud and devoted grandfather of Isaak, Simon, Gianni and Matteo; treasured brother of Catherine and Marge; loving father-in-law of Karin and Paola; adored uncle of scores of nieces and nephews; and loving friend to hundreds. Died at Evanston Hospital on Monday, Oct. 5. A lifelong lover of teaching and learning, a devoted husband and father, a crooner and a poet and a diehard St. Louis Cardinals and De Paul Blue Demons fan, Ed's laughter and wisdom will be deeply missed but never forgotten. He held degrees from St. Louis University, Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame, served in the U.S. Navy on board the USS Natoma Bay in the South Pacific during World War II and spent much of his post-Navy career working for the Shell Oil Company in New York, San Francisco and Chicago. He also served as Technical Director of The National Roofing Contractor's Ass'n and worked for the Environmental Protection Agency. In later years, he taught Chemistry at Oakton Community College. A lifelong Catholic, he was a member of CFM and a founder of Concerned Catholics for Housing. His delight in family and friends, his passion for music, poetry, literature, sports and history along with his love of knowledge and sharing will forever serve as an inspiration to those fortunate enough to have known him in life. He is irreplaceable, but his memory lives on. Visitation is at Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home, 1100 Greenleaf Ave., Wilmette, IL, Thursday, Oct. 8 from 4 until 9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Sheil Chapel, 2110 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9. Interment at Maryhill Cemetery, Niles, IL. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools, 315 Maple St., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 or to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, 4100 West Ann Lurie Pl., Chicago, IL 60632. Funeral Info: 847-251-8200. 
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for EDWIN MERTZ
MaryGrace Quinlan
October 12, 2009
Peace Uncle Ed, Peace!
Ed Grace & Sons
October 12, 2009
Ed Mertz
October 12, 2009
Charles Faithorn
October 8, 2009
Best wishes to you, Mike and TJ, to your families, and to all the old friends who experienced the pleasure and warmth of your parents' home for all those years. Your mom and dad were truly wonderful people and I will always remember them.
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Joseph Agnew
October 8, 2009
Mike and TJ: Countless friends and peers remember the great times we shared with your parents. They always made everyone feel welcome in your home and, more importantly, at complete ease discussing a variety of topics ranging from quite serious to quite silly. That's very rare trait . . . teens and young adults don't normally want adults around and vise versa, and Ed and Grace were quite the exception to that rule. I will always cherish the years I could be in the neighborhood and simply drop by to visit with them—even those times when their sons weren't around.
Anna Quinlan
October 7, 2009
My thoughts are with you Michael and TJ. Your father was a wonderful man and he'll be missed. I loved him dearly.
Maria Quinlan
October 7, 2009
My Uncle Ed was the best uncle. He has been part of our family since the '50s, and no one could have asked for a better uncle. He married into the family but it made no difference, this was his family. He was a class act, a man of knowledge, dignity, and deep caring, for his family, his community and the world. When departing his company he would always say "Peace" and he truly meant it, on a large scale and a personal scale. He would quote the great poets, it always made me want to be better read. He passed on to me a love of history, specifically English history, but even if I read 8 hours a day for 80 years, it would never compare to what he knew. But he never made you feel as if you knew less. It was about teaching and the love of learning. He was such a positive influence and will be greatly missed.
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