Joanna Mertz
Staunton |
Joanna Dorothy Mertz, 87, of Staunton, IL, died at her residence on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 10:49 pm.
She was born April 4, 1937, in Saint Louis, MO to Albert McCormick & Mabel Louise Best Buck. She married Doyal L. Mertz on April 4, 1953 at the Benton Street Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO. He preceded her in death on March 13, 1998.
Joanna received her LPN license thought Lewis and Clark in 1983. She worked for 26 years as an LPN and retired in 2009 from Heritage Manor. Joanna was baptized and became a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Livingston in 1971 with her children. She belonged to the Lions Club, Red Hat Ladies and Tops.
She loved watching the Cubs play baseball and musicals with Phantom of the Opera being her favorite. Joanna enjoyed working with her plants. She had a passion for reading. She enjoyed having morning coffee on her porch and watching the birds. Joanna loved spending time with her family, especially grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She is survived by her children, Tom (Joanie) Mertz, Laura Wright, Bob (Cathy) Mertz, Mike (Jennifer) Mertz, Karen (Dan) Koehne, Kathy (Jim) Hagan, Jeff Mertz, John Mertz, grandchildren, Tom (Rachel) Mertz, Tammy (Cory) Buffington, Larry (Crystal) Wright, Brad (Maegan) Wright, Taylor (Paige) Wright, Jamie (Ryan) Ray, Kohl Mertz, Dan (Elizabeth) Koehne, Denise (Robert) Abbink, Jessica (Will) Mertz, Chelsey (Travis) Trader, Britney (Ryan) Sapp, Jimi (Owen) McGrady, Hunter (Gabrielle) Mertz, great grandchildren, Jake Mertz, Katelyn Mertz, Carson and Luke Buffington, Aiden and Nolan Wright, Isabella and Claire Wallace, Kylie and Collin Ray, Jack, Olivia and Zachary Koehne, Spencer Loveless, Brady Abbink, Kennedy, Lincoln and McKinley Wright, Aurora Mertz, sisters, Audrey Poirrier, Virginia Buck Britian and brother, Harry Buck.
Joanna was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, son, Doyal "Buddy" Mertz, grandson, Damian Kellebrew, sisters, Peggy Spencer and Barbara "Bobbie" Gilchrist.
Private family gravesite services will be held. Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com. Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Kravanya Funeral Home
