OBITUARY
Donald James Mertens
October 13, 1925 – August 7, 2014
Don passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thurs, Aug 7, 2014. He was enjoying his days at the Motion Picture Television Villa, recently filming “The Okie Dokie” show and welcoming the constant stream of family coming to visit. Don was born in Fort Pierre, SD on Oct 13, 1925 to Joseph F. Mertens and Edna Sullivan Mertens. He had two brothers, Bob and Buddy. Don was still an infant when his family moved to Hollywood, CA where Don attended St. Ambrose Elementary School and Loyola High School. His free time was spent going to the movies and playing tennis with his friends at Poinsettia Park. It was at this time that he began to collect an array of tennis trophies from playing in local tournaments. Don was still a teenager when he joined the Army Air Corps in World War II and married the love of his life, Virginia Reamer, who became his wife of 66 years and the mother of his seven children. Don worked at Technicolor for over 40 years, where he was active in Local 683. After retiring, Don and Ginny became volunteers at the Motion Picture Television Fund for several years with Don serving part of that time as president of the Volunteer Guild. Don will always be remembered for his dedication to the Democratic Party and his lifelong enthusiasm for a robust discussion of national and global politics. He will also be remembered for his sharp and ever-present sense of humor.
Don is survived by six of his children, Mike Mertens (Kathie), Penny Mertens LaPreziosa(Ralph), Donald James Mertens Jr.(Marne), Patricia Mertens Schulz, Robert Mertens (Susan) and Jane Mertens Gist (Jeb). Don is predeceased by his wife, Virginia and his daughter, Pamela Mertens Gunn(Mike). In addition, Don leaves behind 18 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He will be missed by all of us.
For Memorial Service information, please visit www.PierceBrothersValleyOaks.com and click on Don’s name to the right. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Don’s name to the Motion Picture Health and Welfare Fund: 22388 Mulholland Dr, Woodland Hills, 91364.
Services
PREVIOUS SERVICES:
- Memorial Service Saturday, August 16, 2014
PREVIOUS SERVICES:
- Reception
REMEMBERING
Donald James Mertens
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RECEIVE UPDATESAugust 15, 2014
Dear Mertens Family , I had the good fortune of knowing your wonderful father for many years , we work together at Technicolor and as a fellow resident here at the MPTF . We saw each other quite a bit here on the campus , he was always up beat and happy .. In fact I saw him at dinner the night he died , I was with my dog Wink and we talked he was fine .
It was a sock the next morning to see his picture and that he had passed .
God Bless you all , Frank Fassnacht
Dave Danning
August 15, 2014
Dear Don -
You dad was a great guy, and a great Little League manager as well.
Dave Danning
Oak Valley Little League Giants
1960-1963
Bill Williamson
August 15, 2014
In the many years I worked at Technicolor, Don was one of the true Gentlemen I met there. He was a great friend and a pleasure to work for and with.
Pinero Family
August 15, 2014
Dearest Don, Penny and Marne, and all: We are thinking of you, remembering dear Don and all the memories. We send our love and best wishes. Judith, Jim and Mark Pinero.
August 14, 2014
Dear Penny and Pat and Mik and Family,
I am thinking of you with warm thoughts. I have many nice memories of your dad from the years ago. Our loved ones never truly leave us, the love they shared lives on. Sending you sympathy at this time of sorrow....With love, Nancy Osgood
Sharon Gantenbein-Peterson
August 14, 2014
My deepest regrets and sympathy are with you all. I always loved talking to your dad on the phone, when he would call the office to leave a message for your mom. Such a special man. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May he R.I.P.
Sandi Warner
August 14, 2014
Sending love and prayers during this most difficult time. Your Dad was a very special man.
Marla Roberts
August 14, 2014
Dear Mertens Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. We all loved your dad. It was a joy to be around him and his wonderful, infectious sense of humor. We could always count on him to lighten up a party or family get together. It is in these times of life when we reflect on how much our friends and family really mean to us; and Donny was one of those who meant a lot to our family, as well as dear Ginny.
God bless you all,
Marla and Gary Roberts and Camilla (Cam) Uhl
Kathy Werder
August 14, 2014
Our Uncle Don was such a fine man. I know he was so proud of all of you. You took such good care of him when he really needed you. We will always miss our Uncle Don & Aunt Ginny.
Love, Rich & Kathy Werder & Family
marianne perumean
August 12, 2014
My sympathies to the Mertens family. They are a great bunch and a testament to their parents.
Rev Marc Uebelhardt
August 11, 2014
God be with the family.
Kathy Mertens-Anthony
August 11, 2014
We will miss you Uncle Don so much. You have now joined the love of your life for eternal life. With much love, your niece and goddaughter, Kathy Mertens Anthony
Erin Hickey, Funeral Director
August 10, 2014
Thank you for giving me the honor of serving your family at such a delicate time in your lives. If Don was as humorous, friendly, and kind as all of you, I'm sure I would have loved to have known him.
I'm positive Don was as grateful to have the love of each of you as you are, his. I hope the way you've chosen to honor his life brings you a sense of peace.
FROM THE FAMILY
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