Russell C. Wertz, 73, died Thursday, June 28, 2012, at the Erie Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Born in Wesleyville, PA, on August 22, 1938, he was the only son of Harry & Myrtle (Olson) Wertz. Russ graduated from Academy High School in 1956 and enlisted into the Navy for four years as a boiler man. He then worked at the eastside Woolworth's location on Broad Street. He enlisted into the Army, and retired after twenty years from the Army Security Agency (A.S.A.) in 1981. Following his military service, he worked as a nurse's aide at various nursing homes, as a machinist at Bendix Brake Parts, and retired as groundskeeper from Pleasant Ridge Manor West. He was a Mason and Shriner for over forty years. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Joyce F. (Porter) Wertz; two sons, Michael, of Erie, and Timothy, of Youngstown, Ohio; a daughter, Karen, of Stow, Ohio; two sisters, Thora Lee (Tilly) Stachewicz and Eleanor Hiles, both of Erie; and many grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Emily Swanson, Ethel Morgan and Judith (Judy) Carroll. Friends may call Monday at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th Street at Greengarden Boulevard from 5 p.m until a time of services there at 7:30 p.m. with Dr. George Alquist, Jr., of Grace of Calvary Baptist Church officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the VA Medical Center, 135 East 38th St., 16504.
Published in the Erie Times-News on July 1, 2012
