LeRoy Mertz

LeRoy R. Mertz, 64, Bismarck, went to join his Lord and Savior on March 9, 2009. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am Friday, March 13, 2009, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with Pastor Michael Hance officiating. Burial will be held at 3:00 pm Friday at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 9:00 pm Thursday, March 12, 2009, at Parkway Funeral Service, with a special time of remembering LeRoy at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. LeRoy was born in Alexandria, MN, on June 14, 1944, the son of Fred and Evelyn Larson Mertz. The family moved to ND in 1945. They settled in the Underwood area. LeRoy attended grade school in Riverdale. He graduated from Underwood High School in 1965, and went on to graduate from Rapid City Business College. He was united in marriage to Connie Molsom on August 14, 1967. In that union he was blessed with two children, a son, Jody of Mandan, and a daughter, Kitty Ann of Bismarck. He served in the United States Air Force including a tour in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1974. LeRoy was united in marriage to Betty Ann Thomas on June 3, 1988. He was the accountant for Town and Country Lumber Yard in Mandan until he and Betty started an accounting business, “Tax Shop.” He served in leadership capacity with Beginning Experience and Nova Shalom, a marriage ministry. In the last seven years he has served as a team member and assistant director of The Healing Rooms of the Northern Plains, a prayer ministry. He is currently a member of Covenant Community Church of God as well as the treasurer. LeRoy is survived by his beloved wife of 20 years, Betty Ann of Bismarck; his children, son Jody Mertz and granddaughter, Jasmine Mertz, Mandan, a daughter Kitty Ann Dale Franchuk, and grandchildren, Brianna, Branden, and Brett of Bismarck. He is also survived by his stepchildren, Milo Tanya Thomas, Charleston, SC, Wade Jodi Thomas and children, Brent, Jordan, Shyanne, and Blayden, Onalaska, WI, and Donna Greg Hall and children, Allyson, Brittney, and Paige, Fargo; his sister, Marion Don Byrne, Portland, OR; four brothers, Wally Diane, Bruce Marjorie, Bismarck, Ray Sheree, Minot, and Ed Ann, Fargo; and many nieces and nephews. LeRoy impacted many lives with his gentle spirit and loving heart. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He would say to us today, “You are blessed and highly favored.”

LeRoy Mertz

June 14, 1944 - March 9, 2009