Obit (edited): COAL TOWNSHIP - Shirley Valeria Mertz, 83, of 504 Center St., passed away Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012, at Geisinger-Shamokin Area Community Hospital, Coal Township. Born in Coal Township, Oct. 6, 1928, she was a daughter of the late William Harold and Hattie Idella (Harner) Lehman. She was a bookkeeper for Mertz Motors in Shamokin and a travel agent for Bernie's World Travel, Shamokin. On Feb. 22, 1948, she married Joseph Richard Mertz Sr., who died Jan. 18, 1995. Survivors include a son, Joseph R. Mertz Jr., and his wife, Debra, of Chesapeake, Va.; two daughters, Brenda Martin, of Rebuck, and Julia C. Pensyl, and her husband, Ken, of Severna Park, Md.; grandchildren, Matthew Mertz, and his wife, Sara, Janie Mertz, Michael Martin, Daniel Martin, Jonathan Martin, and his wife, Alex, Heather Pensyl, Ashley Pensyl and Emily Pensyl, and a great-granddaughter, Audrey Mertz. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Malcolm Lehman, and a sister, Beverly Stout.

Obit. Joseph Richard Mertz of Tharptown, Coal Township died 18 Jan 1995 in Atlantic City to be buried in North'd Memorial Park, Stonington. Born 1 Jun 1928 in North'd s/o Byron Millard Sr. and Laura Mae (Daley). Married Shirley (Lehman) 22 Feb 1948. Had been affiliated with his father in Mertz Motors. Survived by son Joseph R Jr. of Chesapeake, VA and daughters Brenda Martin of Sunbury RD3 and Julia Pensyl of Severnia Park, MD. Also siblings: Byron M Jr. of North’d, Russell of Pine Grove, Kenneth of Shamokin, Jack of North’d, Thomas of Danville, Ruth Snyder of Liverpool, Lucille Dimmick of Shamokin, Rachel Raker of Paxinos, Margery Stametz of Overlook, Frances Weaver of Coal Twp and Lois Walburn of La Mesa, CA.