John Fred Mertes Ii

John 'Fred' Mertes, age 77, of Perry Township, passed away Wednesday, October 30, 2013. Fred was born on December 3, 1935 in Massillon the son of the late John Frederick and Hazel (Stickel) Mertes. He was a 1953 graduate of Washington High School and a 1957 graduate of Ohio Northern University where he received his BSEE degree. In 1957 Fred went to work for Republic Steel and left there in 1962 and then went on to work for A.E.P. in Canton where he was then transferred to Columbus in 1984 and retired in 2006. He returned to Massillon in 2006. Fred was a longtime Massillon Tigers fan and a Booster Club member. He delivered for Meals on Wheels for the past 6 years with his wife Elizabeth. Fred was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great grandfather. He loved his entire family with all his heart and was extremely compassionate and caring. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his granddaughter Alexandra Slates and his Aunt and Uncle; Mina and Doc Gump. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Elizabeh (Wood) Mertes, whom he married on April 24, 1981; his children, John Frederick Mertes III, and Suzanne (Randy) Slates; his step-children, Raynell (David) Sparks and David Ballard; his grandchildren, Samantha Ayers, Tatum Slates, Whitney Bowman, William (Becky) Wolfe, Thomas Hazzard and Ashlee, Jessica, Davey and Jaelyn Ballard; his great-grandchildren, Harper, Brandalynn, Byron, Serina and Dammon; his sister Peggy Davis; his niece Brenda; and his dog, Tiny. A Celebration of Fred's Life will be held on Monday, November 4, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon. Pastor Craig Ott will be Officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends may gather at the Paquelet Funeral Home on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Messages of comfort and support may be sent to the family at www.paquelet.com. Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory (330) 833-3222