Jean Mertens

Jean Belle King Mertens, age 99, of Fairview, and formerly of Dallas, TX, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, May 14, 2016..

She was born in Erie on September 21, 1916, she was a daughter of late Eugene King and Ida Koehler King.

Jean was a 1935 graduate of Academy High School and earned at B.A from the University of Michigan in 1939 and attended the Kathryn Gibbs Secretarial School.

Jean was an active volunteer in Texas, where she lived for over 50 years before returning to Erie, where she had grown up. She was a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, served in the vestry of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Dallas, was a member of the AAUW and the League of Women Voters. Jean loved reading, cooking, gardening, playing bridge and collecting coins.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her husband, J. Robert Mertens; a granddaughter, Joanna Lindsey Lowry; a sister, Florence Jones; and a brother, John King.

Jean is survived by two daughters, Dr. Ida Jean Holman and Mary Lou Lowry; a son, John R. Mertens; five granddaughters, Jean Holman, Susan Holman, Alexandra Mertens, Caroline Lowry and Ruth Holman; two grandsons, John P. Mertens, and Dr. Eugene Lowry; four great grandsons, Henry Pavelko, Theron Ashbaugh, Oz Holman and Ben Mertens; and one great granddaughter, Ruby Mertens.

A memorial service is planned for the 4th of July Weekend.

Arrangements entrusted to the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main St. Girard.

Memorials may be made to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1070 Dutch Road, Fairview, PA 16415 or Heartland Hospice, 719 Indiana Dr., Erie, PA 16505.

Send condolences at www.Burtonfuneralhome.com.