William Albert "Bill" Mertz, age 91 of Celina, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024 at the Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater.

He was the son of the late Roman and Alice (Kannard) Mertz born on June 1, 1933 in Celina, Ohio. On June 23, 1954, he married Shirley A. Schwieterman, who passed away on February 25, 2013.

He is survived by his loving children; Kathleen (Bing) Schmidt of Celina, Susan (Dean) Leffler of Dana Point, California, Deborah (Jeff) Whetstone of Wapakoneta, Lisa Mertz of Atlanta, Georgia, Nancy (Alan) Roman of Green Valley, Arizona, Michael (Jackie) Mertz of Celina, Mary (Timothy) McFadden of Dana Point, California, Charles (Carol) Mertz of Celina, 24 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren. His brother and sister-in-law Bob (Melinda) Mertz of Las Vegas, Nevada and his sisters; Margie Prevish and Betty Olfky both of Dayton.

In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by a son William Mertz, and his brothers-in-law Joe Prevish, Jim Hanson and Ray Olfky.

Bill graduated from the Immaculate Conception Catholic High School with the class of 1951. He proudly served his country in the United States Army, stationed in Germany. He was formerly employed by New Idea and was a Nationwide Insurance salesman. Then he became a dairy and grain farmer in Celina.

He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Celina, and he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1800 in Celina, holding membership for over seventy years. Bill was also a life member of both the Celina V. F. W. Post #5713 and the Celina American Legion Post #210.

Family was everything to Bill and he enjoyed spending time with his family and attending his grandchildren's sporting events. Bill loved traveling with his wife Shirley and their travels took them to all 50 states of the United States. His greatest hobby was fishing and spending time on Lake Erie. Now living out eternity with "The Best He Ever Had, Shirley."

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, August 23, 2024 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with Fr. Rob Muhlenkamp officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery in Celina, with Military Honors provided by the Celina V. F. W. and the Celina American Legion.

A Celebration of Bills life will be held from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at the Lehman-Dzendzel Funeral Home and on Friday morning from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the funeral Home.   Knights of Columbus Prayer services will be held at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Education Endowment Fund at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church 229 W. Anthony St. Celina, Ohio 45822.

Condolences may be shared with the Mertz family online at LehmanDzendzelFH.com.