Jerry J. Mertel, 68, of Peru, passed away Thursday, September 5, 2019 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria surrounded by his family.
A prayer service will be 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at the Mueller Funeral Home, Peru followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph’s Church, Peru with Rev. Jeffrey Small officiating. Private burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Webster Park. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Mr. Mertel was born on October 8, 1950 in Peru to Raymond F. and Dawn J. (Tobler) Mertel. He married Pamela Trumbower on August 22, 1980. Jerry graduated from L-P High School and the Police and Investigator Training at the University of Illinois and worked at the Peru Police Department as a Lt. Detective for 28 years. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, Peru, Split Rock Gun Club, past Youth Service Bureau board member, various Corvette Clubs and was also an avid hunter.
He is survived by his wife, Pamela Mertel of Peru; two children, Jamey (Diane) Mertel of Peru and Heidi (Josh) Harris of Orange Park, FL; 6 grandchildren, Haley Jo Mertel, Jacey Mae Mertel, Hayden Joshua Harris, Karston James Harris, Adley Joseph Harris and Evangeline Jorja Harris; two brothers, Herbert Mertel and Raymond Mertel; and one sister, Cindy Cappiobianco.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.
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9
Sep
909 Pike Street
Peru, IL 61354
10
Sep
909 Pike Street
Peru, IL 61354
10
Sep
1925 Fifth St.
Peru, IL 61354
104 Oak Street
Spring Valley, IL 61362
