Full Obituary

Bernard (Barney) George Mertens of Thorp, died November 14, 2016. He was born on February 18, 1927 in Thorp the son of the late Oscar and Catherine (Heimann) Mertens. Bernard enlisted in the Army April 17, 1945. After being discharged from the Army he returned to Thorp where he held various jobs until he bought a farm on Tieman Ave. He married Maryann Kapfer on September 4, 1954.
Bernard farmed all of his life. He was an active member of the Thorp American Legion and was involved both on the Clark County Board and served in the Town of Butler. He enjoyed spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, camping, cutting firewood, gardening, picking wild mushrooms, and feeding the birds.
He is survived by his wife Maryann and children, Bernardine (Wayne) Nitz of Neenah, Barbara (William) Sladich of Greenwood, Susan (Dennis) Murphy of Thorp, Tom (Theresa) Mertens of Lake Hallie, Paul (Ann) Mertens of Thorp, Louise (Tom) Noah of Thorp, Richard (Lisa) Mertens of Little Chute, Ann Wojt of Cadott, and James (Kimberly) Mertens of Thorp, 22 grandchildren, 16 Great-grandchildren with 2 more arriving early 2017, one brother, Robert (Rosalie) Mertens of Thorp and two sisters, Theresa Westberg of Eau Claire and Margaret Slowiak of Stanley.
Bernard is preceded in death by his parents, son Bernard (Binky) ,brothers, Hugo, Francis and Father Michael Mertens and sisters, Catherine Huzaga, Marie Weix, Marcella Nye, Helen Koenig, Ruth Weix and Delores Techmeier.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am at St. Bernard - St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp on Saturday, November 26, 2016. Inurnment will follow in St. Bernard's Catholic Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by the Thorp American Legion Post #118.Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, November 25, 2016 from 5-8pm with a rosary recited at 7:30pm. Visitation will also be held on Saturday from 9:30am until time of service, also at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer Unit at the Clark County Rehabilitation & Living Center, W4266 County Road X, Owen, WI 54460, or the Alzheimer & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin at: www.alzwisc.org