Johnnie Robbins

Merz

First Name:

Jerry L.

Residence:

Hamilton

Date of Birth:

August 11, 1931

Date of Death:

September 9, 2014

Visitation:

5-8 PM Friday September 12, 2014 Webster Funeral Home

(Benjamin Franklin Masonic Lodge #719 Service at 6:30 PM Friday, followed by the Scottish Rite Ring Ceremony)

Service:

10:00 AM Saturday September 13, 2014 Webster Funeral Home

(FOP Lodge of Sorrow Service at 10:00 AM, followed by the funeral ceremony)

Interment:

Rose Hill Burial Park

Obituary:

Jerry L. Merz age 83 of Hamilton passed away Tuesday September 9, 2014 at Hospice of Hamilton. He was born August 11, 1931 in Hamilton the son of the late Robert J. Merz, Sr. and Winifred (Fightmaster) Merz. Mr. Merz was a 1949 graduate of Hamilton High School, and on January 20, 1951 in Hamilton he married Betty Baker. He joined the Hamilton Police Department on May 27, 1954, made detective in August, 1970, and retired August 31, 1985. After retirement he worked for 10 years as a paraprofessional for the Hamilton City Schools. Mr. Merz was a member the Ross Community United Methodist Church and was a life member and past president of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) #38. He was also a member of the Benjamin Franklin Masonic Lodge #719, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Cincinnati, Hamilton Commandery #41 Knights Templar, Hamilton Council #19 Royal and Select Masons, Hamilton Chapter #21 Royal Arch Masons, and the Shrine Syrian Temple of Cincinnati. He was past president of the Hamilton Shrine Club, past president of the Hamilton High Twelve Club #414, Charter member of the Desert Holding Company, and the Butler County Scottish Rite Club. Mr. Merz had a lifetime membership at the Hamilton YMCA and served on several YMCA Boards over the years, and was named the YMCA Man of the Year and Outstanding Layperson. He was a member of the award winning Hamilton Police Department Pistol Team and competed in the Police Olympics in racquetball from 1978-2002 and won numerous awards in state, national, and international police Olympic competition (25 gold medals, 12 silver medals, and 12 bronze medals). The highlight of his competing was in 1988 when he won gold and silver medals in the International Police Olympics in Las Vegas. He was also extremely active in many, many community service projects over the years. Mr. Merz is survived by his wife Betty Merz; his son Terry D. (Kathy) Merz; three grandchildren Jason (Molly) Merz, Justin (Kathryn) Merz, and Meaghan (Mike) Henderson; four great grandchildren Mason, Max, Hayden, and Addyson; and sisters in law Katie Hoskins and Beverly Merz. Mr. Merz was also preceded in death by his brothers Robert J. (Amanda) Merz, and Neil J. Merz, sisters Mary (Clarence) Hardin and Janet Wagers, and sisters in law Louise Davis, Irene Risinger, and Loretta Fowler. www.websterfuneralhomes.com

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