Obituary of Frederick Arthur Merz

Frederick Arthur Merz, 75, died Saturday June 22 at his home in Colorado Springs, CO surrounded by his family. He was born to the late Arthur and Patricia Fitzgerald Merz January 10, 1938 in Fond du Lac, WI. He graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1956 and then served in the Navy from 1956-1960 as an Electrical Technician. He married Janet R. O'Loughlin at Presentation Catholic Church in North Fond du Lac, WI, in May 1962. They relocated to the Detroit metropolitan area in 1966, where they raised their five children. He is preceded in death by his brother Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Janet, daughters Kathryn Whitfield and Jane Merz, sons Frederick, Paul and John, and granddaughters Cassandra Whitfield, Charlotte and Isabelle Merz, as well as numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.Fred was a Journeyman Electrician, whose troubleshooting skills were valued by his employer, Giddings & Lewis until 1972, when he chose to stop traveling for work and joined Detroit Diesel & Allison in Romulus, MI so he could stay closer to home. He later served at Detroit Riverview Hospital as the hospital electrician. Fred retired in 1999 and again relocated with Janet to Colorado Springs, CO to fulfill their longstanding dream of living near the mountains and to be near their eldest daughter and her family.Although he was an accomplished electrician with a strong work ethic, his proudest accomplishments were his investments in his family and his community. He was always quick to talk about his children and their accomplishments, and to express how proud he was of them all. He encouraged them to participate in sports and musical activities. Fred enjoyed taking his family on outings which provided broadened horizons, new experiences, and priceless memories. Drive-in theaters with doubled paper grocery bags full of his famous popcorn, local rodeos, picnics and daytrips to the lakes, parades, sledding, ice skating at outdoor rinks, or playing broom hockey on Lake Erie. Camping trips, visits to family in Wisconsin or to friends in other states, and sightseeing historical sites were favorite outings of his. Fred enjoyed playing golf, and for many years, was "the guy to beat". He participated in many golf leagues over the years, finally retiring his golf clubs in 2005. He had been an avid bowler, and in younger years, he played hockey, basketball, and softball.Fred had a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to his community. This was borne out in his 4 years of voluntary service in the U.S. Navy, his volunteer activities in the Jaycees, and service as an usher in his church. His commitment to his country continued by serving as a volunteer at voting precincts, and making sure he was educated about voting measures and casting his vote at each election. He joined the Freemasons and gravitated toward the Shriners, so that medically underserved children could receive the specialty care they needed without financial burden to their families. He participated in countless fundraisers to support this mission, and served as a Hospital Representative to facilitate connecting those with qualifying medical needs to the resources provided by the Shriners' Hospitals. Fred worked hard to achieve his 32nd degree status in that organization. In the last years of his life, Fred was recruited into the Knights of Columbus at Divine Redeemer Catholic Church. After moving to the Fountain, CO area south of Colorado Springs, he transferred to the Knights of Columbus at St. Dominic's Catholic Church and felt at home with this group. Fred loved to laugh, even if it was at his own expense, and enjoyed being silly. His wife, Janet, often described him as "the perfect straight man" because his statements often set up opportunities for a comedic "zing" she could not resist delivering. If there is a secret to Fred's longevity which enabled him to survive the numerous serious cardiopulmonary complications, it must be related to his "work hard, play hard" philosophy, his practice of daily laughter and placing his trust in his Lord, Jesus Christ. Memorial contributions can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909 Events Visitation Friday, June 28, 2013 5:00PM - 8:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Service Friday, June 28, 2013 6:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Service Saturday, June 29, 2013 10:00AM Saint Dominic Catholic Church 5354 South Highway 85/87 Colorado Springs,, CO 80911 Phone: 719-392-7653