James J. Merten, 89, Kenosha, died April 12, 2015, at Hospitality Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born in Burlington, on Feb. 4, 1926, to the late Edgar J. and Elizabeth (Luke) Merten. He graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High school of Burlington.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII, spending time at Kwajalien Atoll, and working on atomic bomb tests in Bikini Atoll. During his time in the service he earned his certification in Specialty Radio Repair.
On May 28, 1949, he married Arlene Heinz at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Kenosha.
He was employed as a heavy-duty auto mechanic with AMC/Chrysler in Kenosha, for 39 and a half years, and served as the Chief Union Steward of department 838 for a few years. He was an active member of UAW Local 72. Throughout this time he furthered his education in radio technologies and in 1954 earned his diploma in Radio, Television, and Allied Electronics. He completed additional classes at Kenosha Technical Institute. He also started a side business, Merten’s T.V. and Radio Repair.
He was a lifelong member of the VFW Junkers Ball, Post 1865. He was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church where he served as an usher for many years.
He enjoyed reading, watching business and news programs, repairing cars, gardening, hunting, and camping and traveling throughout the United States.
Survivors include his wife, Kenosha; children, Faye Lubniewski, (Gerald Patterson, fiancée), West Allis, Lynn (Larry) Nolen, San Diego, Calif., Joy (Richard) Trapp, Racine, Mark J. (Melissa) Merten, Bakersfield, Calif., and Michael J. Merten, Hollywood Calif.; grandchildren, Ben Nolen, Anne Lubniewski, (Jonathan McCray), Andrea (Nolen) (R.J.) Richardson, Craig Nolen, Tyler Trapp, Michelle Merten, Joy Trapp and Mark Merten; great-grandchildren, Serena Lubniewski Estrada, and twins, Jared and Aria McCray; siblings, Sister, Mary Joyce Merten, SSND, Burlington, Betty Gaiser, Bedford, Ind., Joyce Clason, La Crosse; sisters-in-law, Kathy Merten, Hot Springs, Ark., Carol Merten, Burlington, and Loretta Merten, Fennimore.
He was further preceded in death by siblings, Paul, Geraldine, John, Roger and Edgar F.; and by brothers-in-law, Ralph Clason and Gary Gaiser.
Visitation is Friday, April 17, at Proko Funeral Home, 5111 60th St., Kenosha, from 5-8 p.m. Prayers will be held on Saturday, April 18, at the funeral home at 10:45 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mark’s Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m. Internment will follow at All Saints Cemetery with Military Honors.
Well-wishers can visit www.proko funeralhome.com.
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