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BORN
1926
DIED
2025
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Virginia Mertel Obituary
Born: March 8, 1926 in Peru, IL
Died: December 20, 2025 in Peru, IL
Virginia A. "Jean" (Kinczewski) Mertel, 99, of Peru, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at St. Joseph's Church, Peru with Rev. Gary Blake, pastor officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Webster Park. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:50 AM Wednesday in the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Peru.
Mrs. Mertel was born on March 8, 1926 in Peru to Chester and Helen (Kowalski) Kinczewski. Jean married Anthony J. Mertel on June 28, 1947 at St. Valentine's Church, Peru. They were happily married for 66 years before his passing in 2013. She was a member of St. Joseph's Church, Peru and the church's Altar and Rosary Society.
Jean is survived by her one son, Terry (Rita) Mertel and two daughters, Peggy (Bill) Plantan and Susan (Jim) Happ, all of Peru; eight grandchildren, Neil Plantan, Sara Plantan Crabbe, Tiffany Plantan Dukes, Heather Happ Mialik, Theresa Happ Hahn, J.A. Happ, Rebecca Mertel Arkins, and Thomas Mertel; 17 great-grandchildren, Layne Mertel, Scarlett Mertel, Fiona Arkins, Odette Arkins, Elise Plantan, Henry Crabbe, Lila Crabbe, Geneva Dukes, Pharuka Dukes, Queue Dukes, Kai Mialik, Alia Mialik, Everett Hahn, Jasper Hahn, JJ Happ, Bella Happ, and Sloane Happ.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one daughter, Linda Liss; and her sister, Grace Billard.
Pallbearers will be Neil Plantan, J.A. Happ, Thomas Mertel, Rob Crabbe, Kenny Dukes, Jack Arkins, Matt Mialik, and Steve Hahn.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Church or St. Bede Academy.
The online guestbook may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.MuellerFH.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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