Peru, Illinois
Anthony J. Mertel, 89, of Peru, died at 2:42 a.m. on Saturday, August 10. Funeral Services will be at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, August 16, in the Mueller Funeral Home in Peru, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the St. Bede Abbey Church, with Abbot Philip Davey, OSB, officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery where Full Military Rites will be conducted by the Peru Veterans Memorial Group. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Mueller Funeral Home in Peru.
Mr. Mertel was born on May 9, 1924, in Peru to Joseph A. and Frances (Sauter) Mertel. He was a graduate of St. Bede Academy. He owned and operated Mertel Gravel Company with his brothers until his retirement. He was an Army Veteran of WWII. He married Virginia ?Jean? Kinczewski on June 28, 1947, at St. Valentine Church in Peru.
Tony was a member of St. Joseph Church and the Holy Name Society, the Elks Club, American Legion, a life-time member of Calvert Council Knights of Columbus, SPEBSQSI Barber Shop Quartet, past-president of the Illinois Valley Chamber of Commerce, past-president of Platter Club, former director of the LaSalle National Bank, a Life-time member of IRMCA, National Rifle Association, Catholic War Veterans, a member of the Order of the Golden Bedans, and the Legacy Society of St. Bede, and a former member of the St. Bede Academy Board.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, one son, Terry (Rita) Mertel, two daughters, Peggy (Bill) Plantan, and Susan (Jim) Happ, all of Peru, and son-in-law Joe Liss, of LaSalle; 8 grandchildren: Neil Plantan. Sara Plantan Crabbe, Tiffany Plantan Dukes, Heather Happ Mialik, Theresa Happ Hahn, J. A. Happ, Rebecca Mertel Arkins, and Thomas Mertel; 5 great-grandchildren: Henry, Elise, Kai, Lila, Geneva, and one more arriving next month..
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Linda Liss, two sisters, Catherine Flaherty, and Margaret Smith, and three brothers, Joseph C., Arthur, and Raymond ?Jim? Mertel.
Memorials may be directed to St. Joseph Church or St. Bede Academy.
I was priviledged to do business with Tony for a number of years. He was such a special person. I loved his values, his common sense, his work ethic and I always appreciated his interest in "you", it wasn't all about Tony. He was proud of his family, he loved life and he will be missed. I'm just blessed to have known him and want to express my deepest symbathy to his family.
Steve Metz
August 14, 2013 | Fairbury, IL
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Judy Schweickert Gorgal
August 14, 2013 | Moline, IL
Mertels was always a great place to work.Tony was kind, fair, and respected his workers. We give our sympathy to his family.
Bob and jackie uranich
August 13, 2013 | Lasalle, IL
Kim Happ and Family sending you thoughts and prayers during these difficult times. His twinkling eyes and quiet demeanor will truly be missed.
August 13, 2013