Shirley Valeria Mertz

COAL TOWNSHIP — Shirley Valeria Mertz, 83, of 504 Center St., passed away into the loving arms of the Lord Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Coal Township.

Born in Coal Township, Oct. 6, 1928, she was a daughter of the late William Harold and Hattie Idella (Harner) Lehman.

She was a bookkeeper for Mertz Motors in Shamokin and a travel agent for Bernie's World Travel, Shamokin.

On Feb. 22, 1948, she married Joseph Richard Mertz Sr., who died Jan. 18, 1995.

She was a graduate of Coal Township High School and was secretary of her class.

She was a member of Salem United Church of Christ in Coal Township, where she served as a Sunday School teacher. She also was a member of the church council and various committees of the church.

She was a member and president of Salem's Women's Guild and a former member of the Regina Rebekah Lodge.

Survivors include a son, Joseph R. Mertz Jr., and his wife, Debra, of Chesapeake, Va.; two daughters, Brenda Martin, of Rebuck, and Julia C. Pensyl, and her husband, Ken, of Severna Park, Md.; grandchildren, Matthew Mertz, and his wife, Sara, Janie Mertz, Michael Martin, Daniel Martin, Jonathan Martin, and his wife, Alex, Heather Pensyl, Ashley Pensyl and Emily Pensyl, and a great-granddaughter, Audrey Mertz.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Malcolm Lehman, and a sister, Beverly Stout.

MERTZ — Shirley Valeria Mertz, 83, of 504 Center St., Coal Township. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, in Salem United Church of Christ, 1300 W. Pine St., Coal Township, with the Rev. Jean Eckrod officiating. Burial will be in Northumberland Memorial Park, Stonington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salem United Church of Christ, 1300 W. Pine St., Coal Township 17866. Farrow Funeral Directors, Sixth and Chestnut streets, Shamokin, has charge of arrangements.