Doris Marion Mertz

Doris Marion (McCraven) Mertz August 18, 1923 - July 15, 2011 Doris Mertz was born in Detroit, MI to her loving parents, James and Harriet. She passed away at the age of 87 in Norwalk, CA. She spent many happy years growing up in Detroit with her parents, brother, Lawrence, and Jeanette "Auntie" Howlett, who helped raise her. As a young woman, she was a ticket agent for Capital Airlines at Willow Run Airport, and through her job, had the opportunity to take adventure-filled trips to Jamaica and other faraway places. On October 17, 1953, she married William "Bill" Mertz. They raised their four children in East Detroit, MI, and vacationed every summer at Houghton Lake. Doris and Bill started a new phase of their lives when he retired, and they moved to Vista, CA in 1987. They still returned to Houghton Lake every year, where they were joined by their now-grown children and their families, and numerous other relatives and friends. She was an avid reader and wonderfully engaged conversationalist who believed everybody has something interesting to say. Doris was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to all who knew her. She is survived by her children, Matthew, Leslie, William and Charles; her sister-in-law and great friend, Lily Jane McCraven; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren; and many other friends and relatives who loved her dearly. A memorial Mass will be held at noon on Saturday, August 20 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Bellflower, CA. A celebration of life will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or to the charity of your choice. Please sign the guestbook for Doris at www.presstelegram.com/obits.