Jerome "Jake" H. Mertz

Jerome “Jake” Mertz, age 86, of Potter, passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at the Manitowoc Health & Rehabilitation Center.

Jake was born on January 6, 1938 in Chilton, son of the late Gottlieb and Rosella “Sally” (Biedenbender) Mertz. He was a graduate of Chilton High School with the class of 1956. On October 26, 1957 he married the former Darlene Aplin at Peace Ev. And Reformed Church in Potter. While in high school, Jake worked for his uncle, Mike Drier, on his dairy farm. After graduation he did roofing for Arnold Reidl and then worked at Brillion Iron Works. Jake then went on to work at the Carnation Malt plant in Chilton before returning to Brillion Iron Works where he retired. He also worked part-time for Gruett’s in Potter and Fuhrman Heating and Plumbing in Brillion. Jake was a member of the Potter Fire Department for 29 years. He was also a Union Steward for Brillion Iron Works, an AA Sponsor, member of the Potter Community Association and served in the United States Army Reserve. Jake loved playing softball and was a little league coach and also coached for his own children. After his retirement, he enjoyed his weekly card club, cutting his lawn on his riding lawn mower, and loved listening polka music.

Survivors include his wife: Darlene Mertz, Potter; their children: Dawn (Jeff) Schmahl, Chilton, and their children: Curt (Shanna) Schmahl, Ashwaubenon, and Alissa (Cory) Van Eperen, Menasha; Stacie Krizenesky and her children: Levi, Trevor and Dontae Krizenesky, all of Brillion, Beckie (Tom) Thiel, Hilbert, and their children: Kelsie (Mike) Dallmann, Brillion, and Spenser (Megan) Thiel, Hilbert, Dana Mertz, Potter, and his children: Mariah (Luke) Fischer, Reedsville, and Kyra Mertz (special friend Josh), New London; 4 great grandchildren: Lillianna, McKinley, Layna, Berkley and two more on the way; four sisters: Sandra (LeRoy) Basler, Charlesburg, Darla (Mike) Wagner, Fond du Lac, Donna (Dick) School, Brillion, Diana Mertz, Chilton; one sister-in-law: Ursula Mertz, Green Bay; and one brother-in-law: Kenneth Monty, Chilton. Nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends survive. He was preceded in death by his parents: Gottlieb and Rosella (Biedenbender) Mertz; two sons: Bryon and Wendell Mertz; one son-in-law: Brian Krizenesky; one brother: Harlen Mertz; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Raymond and Ruth (Bettner) Aplin; four sisters-in-law: Janice (Harvey) Hartz, Delores (Willard) Knoespel, Betty (Royal) Becker, Bonnie Monty; three brothers-in-law: Eugene (Deloris) Aplin, Jerome (Nancy) Aplin, James (Audrey) Aplin.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Peace Ev. And Reformed Church in Potter. Officiating at the service will be the Rev. Dr. Marc Axelrod with burial to follow at Potter Community Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Chilton American Legion Post #125 and the Chilton VFW Post #3153.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at church from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.pielhopwieting.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jake’s name to his family.

Jake's family would like to extend a very special thank you to the sfaff at Manitowoc Health and Rehabilitation Center and the Sharon Richardson Hospice for their care and compassion shown toward not only Jake but to the family as well.

The Pielhop Wieting Funeral Homes of Brillion & Reedsville is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.