Martin Merz

MARTIN PAUL MERZ Martin Paul Merz, our loving, caring, kind and honorable husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed from this worldly plain on Monday, October 26, 2009, in Morgan, Utah. Martin P. Merz was born July 12, 1923 to Martin Joseph and Gertrude McGowan Merz in Newark, New Jersey. He attended grade school and High School in Newark and graduated in June 1940 just before his seventeenth birthday. His childhood dream was to become a pilot, his boyhood room was full of all types of model airplanes.

After Working two years learning to become a Tool and Dye maker at Gus Rinke's Manufacturing in Hillside, New Jersey, Martin heard of the attack on Pearl Harbor and decided to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corp. on July 16, 1942.

After basic training Martin went to aircraft mechanics school in North Carolina where he applied for Aviation Cadet Training. He was accepted for pilot training and graduated in September 1943 as a 2nd Lieutenant. While awaiting further assignment to the 324th Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb group, Bassingbourn, England, he was sent to Salt Lake City where he met the love of his life, Jane Dawson, who was working there for Western Airlines.

While in England he flew 32 missions as a pilot in B-17's, also participating in the D-Day invasion on Normandy. Upon his return from England he once again contacted Jane Dawson from Henefer, Utah, and realized he couldn't live without her. They were married March 31, 1945 at Dyersburg Army Air Base, Tennessee. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple on September 30, 1963.

During Martin's 30 years of military service, he participated in World War II, the Korean Conflict, and three tours of duty in Vietnam earning many awards and decorations which include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, 6 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 25 Air Medals, a Purple Heart, 3 Army Commendation Medals, as well as numerous Campaign and Unit citations.

He retired as a Colonel, U.S. Army, in August, 1972, as a command pilot with over 20,000 hours of flying. He was qualified in 30 different type of aircraft and 7 types of helicopters. After retiring from the Army he went to work for FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Academy in Oklahoma City, OK, as an Aerospace Systems Inspection Pilot (ASIP) and an instructor, retiring from the FAA in April 1983 with 10 years service. Martin and Jane loved to travel, keeping up with family, friends and relatives. Martin was a knowledgeable and faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served in many church positions including Counselor in Military District Presidency, member of the High Counsel, Elder's Quorum leadership, High Priest Group Leader, Sunday School Superintendent and Ward and Branch Clerk. Martin and Jane served a mission in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mission from 1986 through 1987.

Martin is survived by his faithful and loving wife, Jane Dawson Merz of Morgan, children, Michael P. Merz (Marian), Provo, Ut., Martin M. Merz (Mona), Orem, Ut., Janet Merz Glick, Ramstein AFB, Germany and Mary Ann Merz of Morgan, 20 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren, at last count. Martin was proceeded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Mary Doris and a little brother, Louis Joseph. Also waiting for him on the other side of the veil is his son, Louis Alan Merz, his grandson, Adam Meredith Merz, and great-grandson, Aidan Dallas Page.

Special thanks and appreciation are extended to Special Nursing Services and Hospice for all their loving care and service during Martin's illness.

A private family viewing will be held at the Walker Mortuary in Morgan on Friday, October 30th at 9:00 am with public condolences to the family at the Morgan Stake Center at 10am. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am, at the Morgan Utah Stake Center, 335 N. 700 E. Morgan, Utah.