John R. "Jack" Mertes

Jack was one of the most engaging and intelligent people I ever met. He could make a lifelong friend at the library, the Y, or Barnes and Noble. No conversation would be complete without an unsolicited Beach Boys, Marilyn Monroe, or Richard Pryor reference. His humor and easy going personality masked his scholarship. He researched topics for years before writing about them, and yet was smart enough to know he would never be done learning. I'll remember his laugh as long as I live. Farwell, old friend.

A lifelong friend has left this earth! I am sad and missing him already. I net Jack in the summer of 1956 when he had just graduated from high school and had his first job at the Peoria Public Library. I was volunteering and almost a freshman. We had glorious times together - dancing at the Club Peoria, swimming at Twin Lakes, driving around town in his red Pontiac convertible. Thru the years, time passed us by but we remained close friends - facing some tough times but many good ones. Hard to say goodbye - YOUR BOOKS WILL LIVE ON FOREVER as will my memories.