Joe Merz

As those who knew Joseph Merz can attest, he put the color in the world around him. He was vibrant and the life of the party wherever he went and although he could come across as a bit rough around the edges, he was kindhearted on the inside and loving toward his loved ones. Rarely seen without a nice hat and a cigarette in his hand, Joe loved being out on the water fishing and swimming. The memories of the fun-filled times he shared with his friends and loved ones will remain forever in their hearts.

In the early 1940s the eyes of the nation were fixed overseas as countless young servicemen and women were deeply entrenched in the throes of WWII. Those who remained stateside became accustomed to rationing on common goods like paper, sugar, and coffee while victory gardens were planted as well. Nestled within this trying time was the year 1942 that boasted of great joy for one young couple as they were thrilled to announce the birth of their healthy baby boy on September 30th. Baby Joseph was welcomed into the world by his parents, George and Bernice (Fonfara) Merz in Chicago, Illinois, as their youngest of three children. He was raised in Blue Island, Illinois, alongside his siblings, Jim, and Marge.

As a young teen Joe and his family moved to Bloomingdale, Michigan, for a change of pace in life. They moved into a farmhouse that came with lots of hardwork and gardening. He attended Bloomingdale High School into the 9th grade but life was tough and demands required him to work on the farm. During the fun times, he hung out with his friends with one of the memorable adventures being the crash into Godfrey’s store when his brakes went out.

Life was forever changed for Joe when he became acquainted with the young girl who stole his heart. He had been persistently asking her for a date for quite some time, it wasn’t until the young Mary Lawson was 14 and finally agreed to a date. One date turned into another and the couple enjoyed roller skating together and hanging out with friends.

With a desire to serve his country, Joe joined the Marines as a young man, and it was when he came home that first Christmas in 1962 that he asked his sweetheart to become his wife. Mary agreed, and the couple was married on November 14, 1964, which was the same year she graduated from high school.

The newlyweds started their family right away with the birth of Chris in June of 1965, and she was followed by Tony in 1968. The young family lived in Grand Junction for three years before moving to Scott Lake. The entire family loved the water and everything that comes with lakeside living. Along with the lake, the family enjoyed trips to Florida over Christmas. Joe always loved his speedboat and the crazy memories of times shared out on the water will never be forgotten. He also loved going to South Haven and fishing off the pier, and after a time he had a 24 foot cabin cruiser that Joe loved taking out perch fishing.

Both Joe and Mary worked hard to provide for their family. Joe’s career began in a factory in South Haven for about three years before he secured employment as a die setter at General Motors in Comstock beginning in 1969. He was always the money man, and their card games around work were legendary. Joe spent 25 years at GM before retiring.

In the early eighties the Merz family moved to Portage as Mary gained her Bachelors degree and both were near places of employment. Although his marriage to Mary ended in divorce in 1986, they always had a special place in their hearts for one another.

The list of things that made Joe such a true character is extensive. He was always dressed to the nine’s and had hair like Elvis and James Dean. In fact, Joe was a huge Elvis fan who often had the King’s music on in the car. He smoked two packs of cigarettes a day and made weekly trips to the casino where he frequently played Keno, craps, and euchre. Some even say that visiting casinos became his part-time job.

Joe met Jenny in 1997 while at the local hangout. They were smitten with each other, and they loved having fun together over the 15 years that followed.Throughout his life it was spending time with his loved ones that always topped Joe’s list. He and Jenny did plenty of dancing together and shared a love for sixties music. He had some smooth moves out on the dance floor, too, as he mastered the Elvis “foot twist” and “shake and look.” They went on cruises and took several trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin. When they began living together, it was Joe who took over the cooking and cleaning as Jenny was still working. His pets always played an important role in Joe’s life including his dogs, Danny and Taffer, and his cats, Gismo, Sterling, and most recently, Olie.

He loved his steak and fried potatoes with a side salad, but his drink of choice was always his Southern Comfort. Joe was a sports enthusiast who loved watching basketball, football, and NASCAR on television.

Although he could be a bit of a wise cracker and stubborn at times, Joseph Merz was filled with love for those around him. He knew what it meant to truly live, and he will be warmly remembered and deeply missed.

Joseph Merz died on January 20, 2012. Joe’s family includes his daughter, Chris (Rick) Molenda; 3 granddaughters: Jessica and Kelly Molenda and Gabby Merz; significant other, Genevieve “Jenny” Weber; brother, Jim (Goldie) Merz; former wife, Mary (Lawrence) Skinner; and many nieces and nephews. Joe was preceded in death by his son, Tony Merz; sister, Marge Haas; and by his parents. Services will be held Wednesday 11:00 a.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler; 6080 Stadium Dr. 375-2900. A luncheon will follow in the Life Story Center. Burial at Arlington Hills Cemetery, Bangor. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com