Edward J. Mertes, Jr., 89, of Williamsport, went to join his beloved wife in heaven on January 8, 2019.

He was born in Conway, PA on Sept. 20, 1929 a son of Edward J. Sr. and A. Pearl Witmer Mertes

He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish where he served as an usher, a member of Knights of Columbus, Council 366 as a 4 ^th degree member of the Father Reichsteiner Assembly, he was a Past Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator, president of K of C Home Assoc. and served as District Deputy. He was a member of the 4 ^th degree team and ran bingo at the K of C for many years. Ed had been inducted into the Chapel of Four Chaplains. He was in charge of security at the Mummer's parade for a number of years.

He enjoyed model railroading, puzzles, decorating the house for all the different holidays; he especially enjoyed spoiling the grandchildren.

Ed served in the U.S. Army from 1948 until 1951 with the 75 ^th Ord. Base Depot Co. stationed in Germany.

Ed retired in the mid 1980's after 31 years at Penn DOT.

Ed and his wife, the former Evelyn F. Berrigan, were married July 4, 1953. They celebrated 54 years together before she passed on March 8, 2007.

Surviving are 11 children; Charles J (Christine) Mertes I of Cogan Station, Margaret (Thomas) Montemorano of Mountain Top, Francis (Kim) Mertes of Jersey Shore, Edward (Tracy) Mertes III of Williamsport, Anna (John) Cifone of Montoursville, Shirley (Charles) Hamm of Williamsport, Frederick (Lorraine) Mertes of Williamsport, Joseph (Bobbie) Mertes of Youngstown, Fla., Patricia (Joseph) Helminiak of Williamsport, Thomas (Therese) Mertes of Raleigh, NC, Mary (David) Helminiak of Williamsport.

Grandchildren, Elizabeth (Robert) Jones, Charles (Marie) Mertes II, Alicia (Jeff) Lee, Lindsay Mertes (Joseph), Adam (Brianna) Mertes, Damian (Heather) Hyde, Josh (Mandy) Hyde, Taylor Hyde, Michelle (Michael) Yaw, Kimberly Mertes (Justin), Jane Mertes, Katherine Mertes (Henry Rainey), Alexandra and Jennifer Mertes, Joseph (Lisa) Mertes, David Mertes, Stephen, Rebecca, and Marcus Helminiak, Jonathan and Zachary Mertes, Maria and Emily Elizabeth Helminiak, great grandchildren; Julia, Autumn, Bella Mertes, Madeline and Chloe Jones, Landon, Anderson, and Everett Mertes, Mykenna, David and Zander Hyde. Siblings; Anna Mowery, Louis, John, James, William, and Michael Mertes, extended family; Christina and John Grant; Tessa, Kurt, and Toby Knerr, Kevin, Angela, Christopher, Jason and Nathan Grant, and Makenzie. In addition to his parents and wife, grandchildren Matthew, Melissa and Dana Mertes, sister Lois Rose Roupp Berger and brother Richard all preceded him in death.

The family will receive family and friends at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019 from 6 to 9 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 702 W. 4 ^th St. at 10 a.m. on Thursday with his pastor, Rev. Brian Van Fossen officiating. Burial will follow at Wildwood Cemetery with full military honors accorded by the Korean War Veterans of Lycoming County.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions may be made in Ed's memory to the Knight's of Columbus Council 366, 128 Summer St., Duboistown, PA 17702, St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 711 W. Edwin St, Williamsport or to a charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Crouse Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 133 E. 3 ^rd St., Williamsport. To share a fond memory or sign a register book, please visit, www.crousefuneralhome.com