- Date Of Birth: August 17, 1936
- Date Of Death: September 5, 2019
- State: Illinois
Ralph Lee Mertes, 83, of Lostant passed away Thursday evening, September 5, 2019 at his home, surrounded by his family. Mr. Mertes was born on August 17, 1936 in rural Lostant to Leo and Mary Ellen (Weber) Mertes. He married Elsie Mertes on May 4, 1957 in Lacoochee, FL. He graduated from Lostant High School in 1954 and attended LPO Junior College and IVCC. He served in the US Air Force and Air Force Reserve.
He was operations manager of corrugated department at Owens, Streator. Ralph was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, Lostant, American Legion Post #0173 serving as treasurer and was also Hope Twp. Supervisor Ralph loved to fish, garden and watch sports. He is survived by his wife, Elsie of Lostant; his children, Dennis (Grace) Mertes of Gardner, David (Debbie) Mertes of Henry, Karen Schmitt of Lostant, Susie (Kevin) Brandner of Lostant, Dan (Danell) Mertes of Lostant; 19 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; one brother, Richard Mertes of Lostant; one sister, Joyce (Alan) Heider of Streator. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Allen Mertes and one sister, Sally Mertes at birth.
